Eastbayri.com

BARRINGTON — Barrington—Ballet Prestige co-directors and choreographers Vera Kurmasheva and Zhanat Baidaralin offered their adaptation of The Nutcracker to captivated audiences last weekend.

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Ballet Prestige's The Nutcracker

Photos by Richard W Dionne Jr The Nutcracker performed at St. Andrews Theater on Dec. 17 and 18. For even more photos see: Richard W. Dionne Jr, EBN Photographer on facebook

The story about Clara and a Christmas party where Clara’s mysterious Godfather Drosselmeyer gives her a nutcracker toy was performed by young dancers and experienced students of ballet.

The dancing of the older students was both passionate and inspirational. Thomas Curran of Bristol brought the wooden toy soldier dressed in red to life. The Arabian dance that he perfromed with Brittany Cavaco of East Providence was heartfelt and acrobatic.

Most dancers had dual roles. Isoke Samuel of Bristol was the tall and menacing mouse queen and later came out dressed in a dainty white tutu as the Sugar Plum Princess.

The 35 members of Ballet Prestige, ages five through adult, were part of the production. The dancers’ outfits were designed by Vera Kurmasheva, who teaches at the local ballet company with her husband, Zhanat Baidaralin. Mr. Baidaralin danced the part of Drosselmeyer. Guest performer Dylan Giles of Festival Ballet danced the part of the King.

Mara Canfield and Cammi Burgess danced the part of Clara, in different performances. Mara lives in Foxborough, Mass.; Cammi, 14, is from Portsmouth.

The Barrington contingent of Marissa Magnelli, Lucy Schwartz and Katherine Scott pleased the crowd. Katherine, 15, is a Barrington High School student who has been dancing with Ballet Prestige for four years. Katie and Marissa are sophomores at the high school, while Lucy is a freshman.

Katie said among the great thing about being part of the dance studio is getting to know dancers from other towns. Katie dances the Snow Queen in one show, plus other roles.

Brittany Cavacao also danced the Snow Queen. Brittany, 16, an East Providence resident, said she quickly warmed up to the art form.

“My mom first signed me up when I was three, because she always wanted to be a dancer, but never got the opportunity. But I continued because it’s my passion. If I’m shopping at the market or in a clothes store I’ll grab onto a bar and do ballet steps. Hopefully no one’s looking,” she said.

Photo Gallery

Ballet Prestige The Nutcracker

Photos by Richard W Dionne Jr Ballet Prestige dancers prepare at the studio for their performances of The Nutcracker at St. Andrew's School in December.