Nutcracker’s return to the Mann deemed a huge success
Following a one-year absence, the North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts returned to the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall on Friday for a near sell-out performance of its annual production of “The Nutcracker.”
After having to perform the ballet virtually from people’s homes last year because of the pandemic, it was great for the kids to feel the thrill of performing in front of large audiences, first with a performance in school in front of their peers, then on Friday in front of friends and family.
The Nutcracker is about a girl who befriends a nutcracker that comes to life on Christmas Eve and wages a battle against the evil Mouse King.
This year’s Nutcracker is Caisson Dobson, a seventh-grader who got through the audition process to play the male lead in his third performance. He did not participate in last year’s virtual ballet, but is carrying on the family tradition this time around.
“It’s fun because my brother was The Nutcracker a few years ago, so I’m following in his footsteps which is really cool,” Dobson said. “He’s really excited to see me perform tonight.”
The girls lead, Clara, will be played by seventh-grader Allison Skocik, who said she loves to play the lead and watch all the performers do their thing, which is what she and the Nutcracker do for much of the second act.
“It’s exciting to be the lead and see everyone perform and see them do different dances with different props,” said Skocik, who is in her second Nutcracker. “I was excited because I’m a seventh-grader and didn’t expect to be picked.”
Skocik was a candy flute last year and said it was a different experience doing the show virtually.
“Doing it online was a little bit harder to learn the material and it wasn’t as exciting because you don’t the audience in front of you,” Skocik said. “Now, you get to see yourself perform under the lights and that’s fun.”
Eighth-grader Mia Viera will play the Sugar Plum Fairy in he third and final performance.
“This role is very important to me because I won’t get to do this anymore after this year.” Viera said. “Doing it this year after last year is 100 times more special. I’m grateful to get to do it this year.”
Nicole Hoeberling, one of the directors of the show, said they were excited and grateful to perform live.
“The magic’s back. It was exciting to learn something new and be challenged in a different way. But we’re excited to be back onstage,” Hoeberling said. “Nothing compares to live performance.”
Principal Andrea Gunns, who will play to traditional roll of Frau Drosselmeyer, said she loves being in the play, which she has been for years even as an assistant principal.
“I was in the Nutcracker twice as a child in Pennsylvania. I love to see the kids and how they walk into the theater and look at all the beauty and perform like Broadway people have,” Gunns said.
To reach CHUCK BALLARO, please email news@breezenewspapers.com