'The Nutcracker' returns: A lot of work, energy goes into making Christmas magic

Uncle Drosselmeyer gives a scare to the young'uns at a Christmas Eve party during a 'Nutcracker' rehearsal at Sole City Dance in Somersworth on Sunday. (Rochester Voice photos)

SOMERSWORTH - Fanciful. Magical. Mystical. Delightful.
They all describe the aura brought to the stage in Christmas's favorite ballet, "The Nutcracker," which will play five shows Thursday through Sunday at the Rochester Opera House.
Sole City Dance of Somersworth has been producing the holiday classic for more than a decade with cast members like Anna Winslette, 18, who has been performing in the ballet since she was seven.

Anna Winslette, who now dances with the Portland (Maine) Ballet, does one of her solo dances during a rehearsal at Sole City Dance in Somersworth on Sunday. (Sole City Dance photo)

In her first performance she was a soldier. She has also danced as a mouse, dragonfly and in the waltz of flowers.
Winslette, who dances now as a member of the Portland Ballet, will return on Thursday to play the role of the Snow Queen.
Before a rehearsal at Sole City's studio on Sunday, she said she always has nerves before a live show, but that she feels more relaxed this year.
"It's definitely different being in a solo role," she said. "I feel calmer, but it's always a little nerve wracking."
Sarah Martin, 17, of Berwick, Maine, who is playing in her 10th "Nutcracker," said she, too., is always a little nervous, but she loves doing it.
Claire Xiao, 13, of Lee, said she is looking forward to playing Clara, a major role for the young dancer, who showed great promise during Sunday's rehearsal.

Claire Xiao, 13, of Lee, left, leads dancers during a 'Nutcracker' rehearsal on Sunday.

Alice Ordway, 10, of Berwick, said she will be doing her fourth "Nutcracker" and is excited to be in the ballet again.
The plot is loosely based on the E.T. A. Hoffmann's fantasy story "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King," about a girl who befriends a nutcracker that comes to life on Christmas Eve and wages a battle against the evil Mouse King.
Moriah Bureau, co-artistic director at Sole City, said "The Nutcracker" maintains its dominance of holiday performances, because it has dances and antics that engage all audiences.
"It's a fun ballet," she said. "Our version is not just beautiful dancing, but full stage sets, fun characters, tumblers, and an aerial sequence when dancers are up on fabrics."

She added there are some 70

Toy soldiers appear from nowhere out of a magic box during a "Nutcracker" rehearsal at Sole City Dance in Somersworth on Sunday

cast members, the majority of whom are children, some as young as seven.
Prior to a full Act I rehearsal on Sunday, Bureau and fellow co-artistic director Deborah Grammatic briefed the youngsters and several adults in the ballet on what needed to be worked on and what to remember.
Then the music from Tchaikovsky's 1892 masterpiece, which he, himself, didn't particularly care for, began ... and so did the magic.
"The Nutcracker" performances are set for 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday, which is already sold out.
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