Walkerdance continues its holiday tradition with 'The Nutcracker'
Charity Apple / Times-News
ELON � Walkerdance�s 31st annual performance of �The Nutcracker� this weekend will include something old, something new and the same ol� holiday spark.
Ann Bradey Lewis and Emily Bacigalupo, both former Walkerdance students, are continuing John Walker�s holiday tradition.
�Emily and I start planning about July,� Lewis said recently at the Times-News. �Come Thanksgiving, the kids are definitely excited.�
And they�re not the only ones.
For many area families, �The Nutcracker� is a family tradition.
�It�s a wonderful way to get in touch with the holiday spirit,� said Leah Davis, whose daughter Cailin Kluttz, 15, is performing in the show. �We have students as young as 7 in the show. It�s a lot of fun for the community to watch.�
Davis has constructed new headpieces for the Sugar Plum and Snow scenes in the show. Costume mistress Beth Kennett has created a new tutu for the Sugar Plum Fairy.
�All of the costumes are handmade and some date back 30 years,� Kennett said.
This year�s ballet will be performed at McCrary Theatre on the Elon University campus at 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Last year, due to a scheduling conflict, the show was moved to Williams High School for the first time in several years.
John Walker not only returns to see Lewis and Bacigalupo each year, but �we sit backstage and enjoy it together,� Lewis said. �I get calls every year from folks who say that they brought their children and now, they�re bringing their grandchildren. It would not be Christmas without �The Nutcracker.� We do it for the kids � for our kids.�
Advance tickets are $10 and can be purchased at (336) 214-3296 or (336) 584-7952 today and Friday. Tickets are $12.50 for adults and $10 for students at the door. For more information, visit www.thewalkerdance.com.
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