Herald photos by Garret Leiva
The Brothers Grimm classic tale of two Bavarian children and the wicked gingerbread-eating witch will feature original choreography by company director and founder Thomas Morrell. Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for children 12 years old and younger. Tickets are available at Ballet Etc., 869 Robinwood Court, or Studio 101 downtown Traverse City on Union Street.
The music for the ballet is an adaptation of the Engelbert Humperdinck opera of the same name. Since no full-length instrumental score is available, Morrell has created a programmed synthesized recording. Dancers range in age from nine to 19 with a few adult dancers filling in to complete the cast of 28. Elizabeth Pixley and Elly Reynolds will share the role of Gretal. D.J. Hoyt and Daniel Nedow will be little brother Hansel. Micaela Church and Kaatje Dohm will portray the Witch.
For more information on Northwest Michigan Ballet Theatre’s performance, call 929-2787.
Herald photos by Garret Leiva
Father, portrayed by Jacob Knight, and Mother, played by Alicia Benghauser, perform a scene from the ballet “Hansel and Gretel” during rehearsal Sunday by members of the Northwest Michigan Ballet Theatre.
Hansel, played by D.J. Hoyt, and Gretel, played by Elly Reynolds, receive a sprinkling of fairy dust as the Dew Fairy, portrayed by Holly Nieman, brings them out of their slumber.
A host of angels surround Hansel and Gretel as the brother and sister sleep in the enchanted forest.
Dancers make a point of standing on their tiptoe in a scene from “Hansel and Gretel” performed by the Northwest Michigan Ballet Theatre.
Hansel, played by D.J. Hoyt, and Gretel, played by Elly Reynolds, work on their bow and curtsy instead of their house chores.
The wicked Witch, played by Micaela Church, casts a magic spell on Hansel and Gretel after catching the siblings sneaking candy off her gingerbread house.