THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 9, 1994 TAG: 9412070127
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
The ODU Ballet production of Peter I. Tchaikovsky's ``Nutcracker,'' based on the timeless stories of E.T.A. Hoffman, will make its seasonal appearance at Chrysler Hall in downtown Norfolk this weekend.
Featured soloists are Ryan Martin and Chika Temma from the Makarov Company of St. Petersburg, Russia, and Simon Gabor of the Hungarian State Opera conducting the Virginia Symphony.
In addition, five performers from Chesapeake will also lend their talents to this seasonal ballet classic.
Featured this year are:
Terri Diehl, 37, a Great Bridge resident and part-time member of the ODU Ballet. Diehl has been dancing for over 20 years and has performed in more than 50 shows.
Whitney Crockford, the 13-year-old daughter of Jennifer and Jon Crockford and a seventh-grade student at Great Bridge Middle School North. Whitney, who has been dancing for more than 10 years, will perform the parts of Colombine, a snowflake, a Chinese dancer and a Marzipan figure.
Kelli Skluzak, the 9-year-old daughter of Debbie and Jim Skluzak and a fourth-grade student at Southeastern Elementary School. Kelli has been dancing for six years and will dance the part of a little boy and a mouse.
Heather Davis, the 9-year-old daughter of Diana and James Davis and a fourth-grader at Greenbrier Intermediate School. Heather, who has danced for seven years, will perform the parts of a mouse and a little boy.
Lydia Overheim, the 13-year-old daughter of Linda and David Overheim and an eighth-grade student at Western Branch Middle School. Lydia will play the part of a little boy, soldier and ginger baby.
According to ODU Ballet director Istvan Ament, this year's production is one of the better ones he's been associated with.
``Our guest artists are superb. They are in the top of their musical fields and have top-notch musical backgrounds,'' Ament said. ``Most of our shows have been sell-outs. This production has done very well.''
Ament said the participation of the Chesapeake dancers, along with performances of dancers from all over Hampton Roads, has enlivened the show.
``The ballet school is a part of the entire Tidewater area,'' he said. ``Everyone from all the major cities have done well.''
Ament went on to say that dancers who come from the same city or same neighborhood many times become friends and form lasting relationships.
The Chesapeake dancers agreed.
``We have the most fun backstage, socializing,'' Diehl said. ``When someone helps you change your clothes, you eventually get to know them very well. There is a lot of camaraderie backstage.''
Whitney said her greatest pleasure came not only from the backstage friendships but from her time onstage.
``I just love dressing up in the costumes and getting up on stage in front of an audience,'' Whitney said.
``I'm a ham, and I also love it when the curtain opens,'' Diehl concurred.
Both Heather and Kelli loved the show's role-playing.
``My favorite part is being a little boy and chasing all the girls,'' Kelli said. ``I'm usually obnoxious anyway, and I can do it on the stage without getting into trouble.''
``Like Kelli, I like chasing the girls on stage,'' Heather giggled. ``It's a lot of fun.''
All of the Chesapeake dancers agreed they loved the school and family performances best.
``The families and the kids get into showing their emotions and appreciation,'' Diehl said. ``The performances are more fun and relaxed.''
``They all like to clap along to the music and we all like that,'' Heather added. MEMO: You can see Terri Diehl, Whitney Crockford, Kelli Skluzak, Heather Davis
and Lydia Overheim this weekend in the ODU Ballet's production of ``The
Nutcracker'' at 8 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at Norfolk's Chrysler
Hall. Tickets range from $10 to $22. Call 441-2161 for more ticket
information.
by CNB