Arts & Leisure
Local theatre star dancing into the role of Clara in "The Nutcracker"
By Melissa Wood
York resident Alana Thyng will star in the role of Clara in Ballet New England's upcoming performance of "An 1836 Portsmouth Nutcracker," which will also feature several other York dancers. Catch a special abbreviated preview performance as part of this weekend's Festival of Lights on Saturday, Dec. 2, at York High School.
Courtesy photo
York resident Alana Thyng is thrilled to be playing Clara in Ballet New England's production of "An 1836 Portsmouth Nutcracker" at the Music Hall, even though preparing for the role has not been easy.
"It's been really a blast and really fun," said Thyng, who claims that all the work has been more than worth it for such an exciting experience. "… I wouldn't trade it for anything."
A special abbreviated performance will also be presented at York High School this Saturday, Dec. 2, at 7:30 p.m. as part of this year's Festival of Lights celebration.
For Thyng, the challenge has been making the adjustment from performing in plays and musicals to dancing in a ballet. Although she has performed in many productions, "The Nutcracker" is Thyng's first performance with Ballet New England, and she has a starring role.
Thyng said the difficult part is "just getting it all down because it has to look effortless." She not only has to learn the dance steps perfectly, but also has to develop and act the character, without using dialogue.
"It's definitely been a lot of hard work for me," she said.
But Thyng said that she has learned so much more than just dancing. She has also learned a lot more about acting than she expected.
Thyng's character is named Clara Goodwin, which is a variation from the original Nutcracker, because the Goodwins were a family that lived in Portsmouth in 1836.
Ballet New England designed this version of the classic ballet to be set in Portsmouth of 1836, a production with authentic backgrounds, costumes and even characters based on real people from that time in Portsmouth, such as the Goodwins.
The story has not been changed, but the first party scene in Act I, where Clara receives a gift of a holiday nutcracker from her uncle, has been altered so that instead of being set in Germany, it takes place in the Goodwin home in Portsmouth, with some familiar sights from the city in the background.
Thyng said one of the pleasures of being in the show is that the performers are very good. She has had an opportunity to work with some seasoned people.
Professional dancers Kenneth Easter and Melanie Hamrick from the American Ballet Theatre Company join the ensemble, starring as the Cavalier and Sugar Plum Fairy. The cast also includes Ballet New England students and veteran local dancers.
Thyng is also no an amateur when it comes to the local and regional stage. Her many roles include playing the title role in "Annie" at Seacoast Repertory Theatre, Baby June in "Gypsy" at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, N.H., and Gavroche in "Les Miserables: School Edition" at both Seacoast Repertory Theatre and the Ogunquit Playhouse.
She shares the role of Clara Goodwin with Emily Avery of Hampton, N.H. Thyng's first performance as Clara in the production at The Music Hall will be on Friday, Dec. 15. In alternate performances she will play a jester.
The show also includes York dancers Gilda Edelman, Lucy Rickerich, Abigail Patten, Mackenzie Mallet and Isabelle Pike-LeBlanc, who will be playing snow angels, party girls and Chinese sweets.
Performances are scheduled for Dec. 14 and 15 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 16 at 10 a.m. and 2 and 7 p.m. at The Music Hall, 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth, N.H. For more, visit www.balletnewengland.org.
