After multiple postponements, the show will finally go on for Owensboro Dance Theatre’s this weekend with their performance of “The Nutcracker,” normally slated for Christmas. The show will kick off ODT’s 39th season.
With more than 165 cast members needed, artistic directors and choreographers had to find creative ways to keep the limit the number of people in each dance number. They double casted each performance and double rehearsed since October.
Lead Emma Silvert, who will star as Maria, said that she is “honored” to dance the role so many dream of.
“Since I was four, I wanted to be her,” she said.
Silvert, who has been dancing for 14 years, said that she is excited to dance in the first act “Party Scene” with her sister Lily, who is an ODT company member, and her father Madison Silvert. For Silvert and many of the company dancers and their families, Christmas typically means “The Nutcracker.”
“Christmas isn’t over until we have ‘The Nutcracker,’” she said.
Payton McCollam, who is the Snow Queen and Dew Drop, said that they have also kept their Christmas trees up at home to keep the spirit of the season alive.
And, she added, all of the extra rehearsal time has made this year’s performance “really clean.”
McCollam will be the lead in the second production of ODT’s season, “In Concert featuring The Little Mermaid,” which will be performed March 20 and 21.
Starring as Ariel, McCollam said that there has been a lot of rehearsing for both shows, but she was “ecstatic” when told she was cast as Ariel.
“I wanted to be her so badly…she is one of my favorites,” she said, adding that the first ODT production she was in was “The Little Mermaid” and now she gets to end her time with the company in the lead role.
She, too, has a sister in the company and said that it has made them “super close” because of their similar interests.
“It’s special to dance with my sister and in dream roles,” she said.
Silvert said that the crowd-favorite clown scene has been rechoreographed for this weekend’s performance.
“It really is fun and captures the energy,” she said.
Each performance is maxed at 494 guests in Canon Hall. Guests will be seated according to guidelines, and temperatures of patrons will be taken upon arrival.
Three options are available for “The Nutcracker” — an hour-long performance on at 11 a.m. on Saturday, a full performance at 3 p.m. on Saturday, and a full performance on at 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Two options are available for “In Concert featuring The Little Mermaid…Ariel’s Return” — 7 p.m. on March 20, and 3 p.m. on March 21.
Tickets for each show are available at the RiverPark box office, which can be accessed at riverparkcenter.org or by calling 270-687-2770.
