The Toledo Ballet has announced the lead roles of Clara, Fritz, and the Nutcracker Prince for its 83rd annual production of “The Nutcracker.” These roles are traditionally shared across multiple casts.
The role of Clara will be performed by Leah Brody of Sylvania, and Lily Van Tuinen of Maumee.
The role of Clara’s brother Fritz will be performed by Reed Dute-Semones of Millbury, and Beau Koppitsch of Perrysburg.
The role of the Nutcracker Prince will be performed by Quinn Otto of Sylvania, and Jack Koppitsch of Perrysburg.
Eric Otto, Toledo Ballet’s artistic director and head of curriculum, will update this year’s Nutcracker with his own choreography especially for Toledo Ballet students.
“This year’s production will focus more on the child wonderment of this holiday classic,” said Mr. Otto. “Clara and Fritz are both a little bit younger than in previous Toledo Ballet productions, and the character of the Nutcracker Prince has a slight twist that I don’t want to give away just yet.”
Members of the public will have the opportunity to meet this year’s cast in person at the Toledo Ballet Guild’s Tea with Clara being held on Sunday, November 5, at 11 a.m., at Inverness Club. Tickets are available at artstoledo. com/tea-with-clara.
Toledo Ballet has the longest continuously running annual production of “The Nutcracker” in North America. Toledo Ballet Founder and Artistic Director Emerita Marie Vogt smuggled copies of Tchaikovsky’s score out of Russia to piece together its first production in 1940, and it has been performed every year since.
For many years, the Toledo Symphony has provided the live orchestral score to Toledo Ballet’s production. TSO Music Director Alain Trudel conducts this years’ performances.
Tickets are on sale now at artstoledo.com/nutcracker or by calling the TAPA box office at 419-246-8000.
