LOGAN – The Cache Valley Civic Ballet has announced that two exceptional guest artists will perform with the local dance company during its annual staging of the beloved ballet The Nutcracker.
“This year, we are thrilled to welcome professional dancer Lucas Castro to perform as our Cavalier,” according to Jaime Lindley, the associate artistic director of the CVCB.
“Lucas will bring a level of artistry and grace that will elevate our production,” Lindley predicted. “We are honored to share his extraordinary talent with our community.”
The Nutcracker will be performed by CVCB dancers from Friday, Nov. 29 through Tuesday, Dec. 3 at the Ellen Eccles Theatre in downtown Logan.
Now in its 43th season, the holiday tradition is still growing in popularity, so the ballet company will offer six performances this year, including an addition presentation at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3 to accommodate the overflow crowds.
This year’s production will also feature the return of guest artist Gordon Felesina from the Ballet Theatre at Brigham Young University.
In The Nutcracker, Felesina will take on the roles of the Snow King and Spanish male lead, partnering with CVCB Senior Company members Sophie Baldwin, Eleanore Buckley and Sarah Hamilton.
Under the well-trained eyes of Ms. Lindley and CVCB artistic Sandra Emile, Castro and Felesina will join the cast of 33 auditioned ballet dancers, 40 elementary school dancers and a dozen adults bringing the magic of Christmas to life.
As the Cavalier, Castro will partner with the show’s Sugar Plum Fairy, Laura Geertsen. A senior at Green Canyon High School and a member of the CVCB’s Senior Company, this will be Ms. Geertsen’s third year performing in that role.
Having begun dancing for the CVCB at the age of three, Ms. Geertsen was selected as a top 12 finalist in the Youth American Grand Prix ballet competition in 2023 and is accomplished in a wide range of dance styles.
A native of Rio de Janeiro, Castro is also a graduate of the Washington School of Ballet. He will perform The Nutcracker as a courtesy of the Utah Metropolitan Ballet, where he is a principal dancer.
His previous experience includes two seasons as a company artist with the Dance Theatre of Harlem in New York City.
“From our youngest cast members performing as Gingersnaps to our seasoned company dancers,” Lindley adds, “each person bring their unique energy and enthusiasm to the stage, helping us share the magic of The Nutcracker with our community.”
The Northern Utah Symphony Orchestra will perform P.I. Tchaicovsky’s score for The Nutcracker, under the direction of Mark Emile.
Evening performances of The Nutcracker are slated for 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 29, Nov. 30, Dec. 2 and Dec. 3.
Matinee performances are set for 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 29 and Nov. 30.
To make the holiday experience even more special, the CVCB will host a Sugar Plum Tea Party before each of those matinee performances. Light refreshments will be served. Tickets for the tea parties are sold separately.
Tickets for The Nutcracker are available at www.cvcballet.org, www.cachearts.org, or by calling the Ellen Eccles Theatre Box Office at 435-752-0026.
The Ellen Eccles Theatre is located at 43 South Main Street in downtown Logan.