Andrew Bewley as Ebenezer Scrooge
photo by Blake Blamalam
Ballet Tennessee will present A Christmas Carol, an original ballet by Barry VanCura, Dec. 19 and 20, at the UTC Fine Arts Center. Mr. VanCura’s ballet was first staged in 1997 and is one of few ballet adaptations of A Christmas Carol. In 2005 the work was filmed by WTCI and aired both locally and nationally during the holiday season. This year Executive/Artistic Director Anna Baker-VanCura brings the ballet to stage again for the Chattanooga audience.
Review for A Christmas Carol:
A Christmas Carol will feature Board Treasurer Andrew Bewley (of Chickasaw Capital Management) as Ebenezer Scrooge. Guest artist Jere Hunt, company dancer with Rioult New York City, will perform Bob Cratchit.
Ballet Tennessee professional dancer, Hannah Locke is leading dancer as Gwendoline Cratchit. Miss Locke performed with the corps de ballet in the 2003, 2004, and 2005 performances when the ballet was previously staged. Julia Sanford performs the role of Belle, formerly danced by Anna Baker-VanCura. Mrs. Sanford also performed various roles in each of the 2003, 2004, and 2005 productions. Ballet Tennessee faculty member and community artist, Lindsay Pierce joins the cast as Jacob Marley.
Leading roles for the Ghosts of Christmas are performed by Ballet Tennessee company dancers Annabel Long as Christmas Past (Baylor School), LaJeromeny Brown, (CCA), Chyna Clark (CCA), and Keely Hein (Notre Dame High School) as Christmas Present, Lydia Barnett (Ivy Academy) and Lindsay Pierce as Christmas Future.
Through carols, vocal and instrumental, Charles Dickens’ classic tale comes to life. Mr. VanCura chose Franz Shubert’s music to connect scenes and guide the atmospheric changes through the exuberant London scenes where shopkeepers and families ready for the holiday. Carols gently sung take the audience back in time to visit a younger Scrooge still in school. Between Christmas Past and Present “Humbugs” disturb Ebenezer Scrooge from his sleep, taking over his precious bedroom. As his journey continues with sorrows of poverty, sickness, and death all possible both in the present and future the music and dance guide us through his journey. Ebenezer Scrooge and the audience arrive at the conclusion of the story stronger, more vibrant, and filled with the joy of giving.
Performances will be Dec. 19 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 20 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $19 for adults and $17 for children and seniors and go on sale Tuesday, Dec. 1. Call the UTC Fine Arts Center at 425-4269.
Tennessee Ballet will perform A Christmas Carol Dec. 19-20
photo by Alan Vandergriff