Angels Camp, CA…Our community’s most spectacular holiday presentation is just around the corner. Every year, Studio 4 Dance Theater dazzles and amazes audiences with the precision and elegance of its dancers in the timeless and heartwarming story of “The Nutcracker” ballet. The performance runs December 15-17, 2016 at the Bret Harte Theater in Angels Camp. This year, tickets purchased in advance are priced lower than tickets available at the door. Opening night (6pm on Thursday) advanced tickets are $15/adult; $12/youth ages 13-17; $9/children 12 and under; tickets at the door are $18/adult; $15/youth ages 13-17; $12/children 12 and under. Friday and Saturday evenings and Saturday matinee (1pm) advanced tickets are $17/adult; $12/children 12 and under. At the door, tickets are $20/adult; $15/children 12 and under. Reserved seats can be purchased at www.studio4dancetheater.com.

When Artistic Director Tammie Lee started the company, she “had big dreams for it,” she says.
Dreams that have come to life, because of “the dedication of the many beautiful dancers who have graced our stages at Black Bart Playhouse and Bret Harte Theater and the overwhelming support of my husband Kenny Lee, our dedicated board members past and present, the parents, families, and our community. It has been amazing,” recalls Tammie.

This year more than 60 dancers, ranging in age from 4-60 years old, have been cast in the ballet and rehearsed for over six months. Again this year, “The Nutcracker” is set in an orphanage at the turn of the 20th century. Tammie explains her decision to change to the orphanage scene: “I had to come up with a storyline that didn’t include the parents for the party scene, so I came up with the idea of the orphanage. Matthew Bourne’s version of “The Nutcracker” is set in a grim Dickensian orphanage…my version is not so grim. I wanted a happier version.”

Each year the audience is awed by changes made to the performance. This year will be no exception, with the introduction of the Snow King and a male Arabian dancer, the Snow Princesses and Mouse Queen on pointe, and featuring three Pas de Deuxs: the Grand Pas de Deux, The Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier; the Arabian Pas de Deux; and the Snow Pas de Deux. The starring role of Clara will be performed by Madison Pelland; Michaela Jarnagin and Jillian Buteau are featured as the Dew Drop Fairies, Ruby Eustis-Smith as the Mouse Queen, Damian Homer-Goltz as the Snow King, Justin Sharp as the Nutcracker Prince, Ethan Moes as Cavalier, Brianna Gilbert as the Sugar Plum Fairy, and Tim Smith returning in the role of Dr. Drosselmeyer.