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Out & About: Magic of 'The Nutcracker' returns to The Palace stage | TribLIVE.com
Out & About

Out & About: Magic of 'The Nutcracker' returns to The Palace stage

Shirley McMarlin
Shirley McMarlin

A girl receives a nutcracker on Christmas eve, and the gift comes to life and wages a battle against an evil rat king.

It’s an 1816 tale from Prussian author E.T.A. Hoffmann, adapted into a well-loved ballet in 1892 by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and choreographers Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov.

The story of “The Nutcracker” comes to life every holiday season on the stage of Greensburg’s Palace Theatre as dancers from the Laurel Ballet and musicians from the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra pool their many talents. This year’s performances were Dec. 14 and 15.

The production included about 70 dancers and 50 symphony musicians.

The magical elements of the story inspired many guests at the opening matinee to come dressed in their finest formal dress — moms in ball gowns and daughters in satin, tulle, lace, ribbons and glitter.

Proud parents and grandparents arrived with bouquets of flowers to present afterward to the young dancers.

Choreography was by Laurel Ballet founder Eleanor Tornblom with Joy Uschak, Christine Mikrut and Alan Obozur. Tornblom also was artistic director. Costuming was by Margaret Gilfillian.

Walter Morales conducted the orchestra.

Among the matinee cast were Alaina Nuzzo as Clara, Ella Chappell as Fritz, Anya Shilobod as the Governess, Aaron Bellofatto as the Nutcracker Prince, Ashlyn Mough as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Vince Beatty as the Rat King.

Seen: WSO Executive Director Endy Reindl, John Scanlan, Maggie Geibl, Bob Zink, Tammy Dave and Ian Smith, Mark and Kate Neely, Robin Hauger, Josh Hauger, Dan and Janice Stanley, Alexis Dillon, Ron and Lisa Cosalter, Anna Hampton and Tom, Kelly and Juliet Tatone.

Shirley McMarlin is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Shirley by email at smcmarlin@triblive.com or via Twitter .

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Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review
From left: Brenda DiCicco of Indiana, her daughter, Taylor DiCicco, 8, Chloe Kellar, 8, of Indiana, her mother, Stephanie Kellar, and Lisa Martz of Homer City, Indiana County, pose for a photo during “The Nutcracker,” presented by the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra and Laurel Ballet, held Dec. 14 at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg.
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Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review
From left: Shana Elling and her daughter, Savannah Elling, 9, join Magdaline Perry, 7, and her mother, Eliza Perry, all of Homer City, Indiana County, for a photo during “The Nutcracker,” presented by the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra and Laurel Ballet, held Dec. 14 at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg.
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Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review
From left: Bethany Nemit of Murrysville, Sophia Nemit, 4, of Murrysville, Charlotte Douglas, 6, of Monroeville and Lydia Nemit, 6, of Murrysville gather for a photo during “The Nutcracker,” presented by the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra and Laurel Ballet, held Dec. 14 at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg.
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Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review
From left: Susan Corbett of Pittsburgh, Lila Jordan, 4, of Delmont, Clare Jordan, 10, of Delmont and Kate Jordan of Delmont gather for a photo during “The Nutcracker,” presented by the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra and Laurel Ballet, held Dec. 14 at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg.
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Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review
Ava Scalzitti, 6, of Greensburg poses for a photo during “The Nutcracker,” presented by the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra and Laurel Ballet, held Dec. 14 at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg.
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Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review
From left: Kelly and Joe DeGroot of Murrysville pose for a photo during “The Nutcracker,” presented by the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra and Laurel Ballet, held Dec. 14 at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg.
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Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review
From left: Endy Reindl, executive director of the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra, joins Eleanor Tornblom, Laurel Ballet founder, for a photo during “The Nutcracker,” presented by the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra and Laurel Ballet, held Dec. 14 at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg.
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Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review
From left: Elizabeth King of Irwin and Abi Hoyer of Greensburg pose for a photo during “The Nutcracker,” presented by the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra and Laurel Ballet, held Dec. 14 at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg.
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Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review
From left: Judy McGrath, Callie Diebler, 8, and Erin Diebler, all of Plum, gather for a photo during “The Nutcracker,” presented by the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra and Laurel Ballet, held Dec. 14 at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg.
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Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review
From left: Juliet, Tom and Kelly Tatone, all of Delmont, gather for a photo during “The Nutcracker,” presented by the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra and Laurel Ballet, held Dec. 14 at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg.
2034116_web1_gtr-OA-nutcracker4-121619
Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review
A scene from “The Nutcracker,” presented by the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra and Laurel Ballet, held Dec. 14 at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg.
2034116_web1_gtr-OA-nutcracker6-121619
Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review
A scene from “The Nutcracker,” presented by the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra and Laurel Ballet, held Dec. 14 at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg.
2034116_web1_gtr-OA-nutcracker5-121619
Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review
A scene from “The Nutcracker,” presented by the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra and Laurel Ballet, held Dec. 14 at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg.
2034116_web1_gtr-OA-nutcracker1-121619
Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review
A scene from “The Nutcracker,” presented by the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra and Laurel Ballet, held Dec. 14 at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg.
2034116_web1_gtr-OA-nutcracker2-121619
Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review
A scene from “The Nutcracker,” presented by the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra and Laurel Ballet, held Dec. 14 at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg.
2034116_web1_gtr-OA-nutcracker3-121619
Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review
A scene from “The Nutcracker,” presented by the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra and Laurel Ballet, held Dec. 14 at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg.
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