UNCSA's The Nutcracker, Swingle Bells, W-S Theatre Alliance, And "This Little Light"

UNCSA's The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker premiered on December 18, 1892 in St. Petersberg, Russia. 

It was on a double-bill with Tchaikovsky's opera, Iolanta, and you can probably guess which one withstood the test of time. Not a lot of Iolanta performances going on right now. To be honest though, even the complete Nutcracker took a good long while to catch on with audiences. But once it did, beginning in the late 1960s, it never let up. In fact it was back in 1965 that one of the earliest schools in the country to fully embrace The Nutcracker Ballet as both a performance vehicle and educational tool for its students was none other than the then North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem.

Katharine Laidlaw is certainly no stranger to enormous student productions. As UNC School of the Arts Executive Producer she's overseen Oklahoma!, Stravinsky's Rite of Spring celebration, and The Nutcracker Ballet just to name a few. During its nine-day run at the Stevens Center, this incredible, annual student production brings world-class performance quality to Triad audiences while at the same time it raises money for scholarships to the school. Katharine stopped by with UNCSA Symphony Orchestra Music Director Christopher James Lees to talk about it.

This year's production of The Nutcracker Ballet runs December 12th through the 20th at the Stevens Center in downtown Winston-Salem, with evening performances at 7:30 pm and weekend matinees at 2:00 pm. 

Swingle Bells

Earlier this week a Winston-Salem musical holiday tradition returned. Swingle Bells, the annual jazzy Christmas concert is swung into the James A. Gray Jr. Auditorium in Old Salem on Tuesday December first. The concert was presented by the Carolina Chamber Symphony, and featured vocalist Martha Bassett along with some merry friends. The Carolina Chamber Symphony Players have a few more holiday-themed shows up their (green) sleeves though. On Thursday, December 10th they present Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite with the Camel City Jazz Orchestra. Finally, on Wednesday, December 16th it's a Charlie Brown Christmas, featuring songs from the holiday TV classic like "Linus and Lucy" and "Christmastime is Here."

But for now, it's all about that swing and David Ford's chat with Swingle Bells French Horn player Joe Mount.

Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance

White Christmas, based on the 1954 film starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen, follows WWII Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis on their post-war song and dance tour, and their eventual hot pursuit of a beautiful singing sisters duo. It was staged back in 2014 at the Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance. Actor Mary Isom played the younger sister Judy Hanes. She was joined by David Joy who played Captain Bob Wallace.

While there is no “White Christmas” this year at the Theatre Alliance, there is a completely different type of holiday show kicking off on Friday, December 4th. The irreverent and adults only Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical. With performances happening through Sunday, December 20th. It's holiday time down in Armadillo Acres, and everyone's filled with warmth and beer. But when a freak bout of amnesia strikes the trailer park Scrooge, neighborly love is put to the test. It's promised to be a cat-fightin', sun-worshippin', chair-throwin' good time - with tinsel and Keg Nog. 

Anthony Dean Griffey and Joe Pecoraro

Now, it's a collaboration between four-time Grammy award-winning tenor, and High Point native Anthony Dean Griffey and internationally renowned guitar soloist and UNCSA faculty member Joseph Pecoraro.

Together they recorded This Little Light, a Christmas album, featuring Joe's gorgeous arrangements. Their holiday CD was recorded at Ovation Sound in Winston-Salem. From the beginning of his career, Tony's been active in many charitable efforts, and this this interview was recorded just prior to a benefit concert for Open Door Ministries—Local Homeless Shelter in High Point. The two visited WFDD's Studio A in 2012 for a live performance & interview with Triad Arts Executive Producer David Ford.