PLAY
THIS WEEKEND:
A Kansas Nutcracker
Why turn to the same old, prepackaged, rehashed television specials this winter for your holiday cheer when you can get your seasons greetings live and right here in town? This weekend, the Lawrence Arts Center is offering a local twist on a holiday favorite with their production, A Kansas Nutcracker.
In this retelling of Tchaikovsky's classic ballet, Clara and her family are relocated to Lawrence in the 1850s, with every character of the time period portrayed, from native grasshoppers and sunflowers to John Brown.
After viewing productions of The Nutcracker all over the country, Deborah Meltinger, choreographer and artistic director for the Lawrence Youth Ballet, started brainstorming how Lawrence could put its own stamp on the ballet. In 2002, with the help of stage director and playwright Ric Averill, Mettinger brought forth a reincarnation of the production seen through the historical setting of Kansas during the same time period.
With more than 170 people involved in A Kansas Nutcracker—from kids to
professional dancers and a 12-piece mandolin orchestra—Mettinger hopes audience members will enjoy "the total talent, energy and exuberance" that each person brings to the stage.
A Kansas Nutcracker will be showing this Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Lawrence Arts Center, with a Sunday performance at 2 p.m. Student tickets are $12.
out & about
What's your favorite thing to do during winter break?
I like seeing the last Oscar bids in movie theatres before the kickoff of awards season, as well as watching bowl games.
Ajani Jackson, East Lansing, Mich., senior
Skiing and duck hunting. I go hunting with my parents, and
I got my first goose on Christmas when I was 10.
—Hannah Wagner, Johnston, Iowa, sophomore
Building snow forts and having snowball fights with friends, because I really enjoy not being an adult.
—Libby Heidrich, Wheaton, Ill., junior
I'm looking forward to sleeping in and hanging out with my friends. Maybe I'll go sledding or play with snow.
—Taylor Smith, Fulton, Mo., sophomore
I like to get my knitting done. It's mostly scarves. They're Christmas presents, so I really have to get on them over winter break.
—Melinda Branin, Jal, N. M., senior
I love snowboarding, reading in front of a fire, and baking cookies. —Ashley DeSandre, Pocono Lake, Penn., sophomore
Roadtripping to Denver for a conference for Campus Crusade for Christ each year. It's fun because I always get to ride with ridiculous people in the car.
—Steven Griswold, Forsyth, Ill., senior
Going to KU basketball games,partying,and being able to sleep in after partying without worrying about classes.
Sara Minor, Lawrence sophomore
I like watching Christmas movies and drinking hot chocolate with marshmallows. My favorite movie is White Christmas, because I love musicals.
—Stephanie Peterson, Palm Bay, Fla., graduate student
18
—Derek Zarda
December 11,2008