ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, December 14, 1995 TAG: 9512140012
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MATT CHITTUM STAFF WRITER
The Southwest Virginia Ballet and Roanoke Symphony Orchestra are bringing in some big guns to lead them into battle against the Mouse King this weekend in their joint production of ``The Nutcracker.''
A former principal dancer of the English National Ballet in London and the prima ballerina of the Columbia City Ballet in South Carolina will head the cast of more than 100 in what's being called Virginia's only presentation of the perennial holiday favorite west of Richmond.
The Roanoke College Preparatory Children's Choir will join in the performance, along with 30 members of the Southwest Virginia Ballet who are volunteering their time for the performance.
Altogether, more than 150 dancers, actors and musicians are involved in the show, which runs for three performances this Saturday and Sunday at the Roanoke Civic Center.
Most of area dancers are between 13 and 18 years old, according to Vicki Honer, spokeswoman for the Southwest Virginia Ballet.
Honer, a one-time dancer herself, has a daughter, Susan, in the company. Her other daughters, Sharon and Sarah, danced with the company in years past.
``I didn't twist their arms at all, I promise,'' she said.
Honer said being around dancers of the caliber of the featured guests is a valuable experience for the young area dancers.
``It's just like being in the midst of a rock star or somebody for them,`` she said.
Tim Almaas, a Swedish-born dancer, was a member of the Royal Swedish Ballet before joining the English National company. He is now a free-lance performer.
Mariclare Miranda joined the Columbia City Ballet in 1976 and has been the prima ballerina since 1984.
The younger cast members also are getting an unusual opportunity to perform with a live orchestra, the 54-member Roanoke Symphony, conducted by James Glazebrook.
``Usually it's just a phonograph or a tape player off to the side,`` Honer said.
One dancer's parents drive her to Roanoke from Peterstown, W.Va. - an hour and a half away - twice a week for rehearsals that last over 90 minutes.
``We think that Roanoke is very lucky to have all these dedicated young people,'' said Honer, who also volunteers her time to the ballet company. ``Their love and devotion to the art of ballet makes them special young people and we are very proud of them.''
``The Nutcracker'': At the Roanoke Civic Center Auditorium on Saturday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m. For tickets, $17 to $25, call the symphony, 343-9127, or the ballet, 387-3978.
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: Mariclare Miranda, prima ballerina of the Columbiaby CNB(S.C.) City Ballet, leads
the cast of the Roanoke production of ``The Nutcracker.'' color.