From a tiny dancing cherub to the lead role of Clara, and now starring as Snow Queen and Dew Drop, Daria Breslin has performed many roles in Maryland Festival Ballet and Edna Lee Dance Studio’s annual production of the beloved holiday classic “The Nutcracker.”
A Pasadena resident and senior at Mount de Sales Academy in Catonsville, Breslin has been in the ballet since she was 6-years-old. Her first role as a dancing cherub made quite an impression on her.
“I was on stage with many of the older girls who I really looked up to,” she said.
Since being a cherub, she has performed a myriad of other characters. Her favorite role was the Snow Princess because “the movement is high energy, challenging, and bright.”
A veteran at Edna Lee Dance Studio in Glen Burnie, Breslin has been studying dance since she was 3-years-old.
Breslin will be performing in “The Nutcracker” under the artistic direction of internationally award-winning choreographer and creator of Maryland Festival Ballet, Ashley Canterna Hardy, of Linthicum, alongside executive director and owner of Edna Lee, Mary Moran.
Special guests include USA International Ballet Competition gold medalist Adrienne Canterna, of Linthicum, as the Sugar Plum Fairy. Adrienne’s sister, Hardy, typically stars as the Sugar Plum Fairy, however, Adrienne is filling the role since Hardy recently gave birth to a baby boy.
Adrienne has choreographed “Rock the Ballet” and Rasta Thomas’ “Romeo and Juliet” which toured in over 30 countries since 2008 to rave reviews. In 2014, she founded “Bad Boys of Ballet” who went on to become finalists on America’s Got Talent.
Performing as the Cavalier will be Barton Cowperthwaite, a GAP model who has performed with “Bad Boy of Ballet,” Shaping Sound, Lar Lubovitch, and starred in Lifetime TV movie “Center Stage: On Pointe.”
Artistic coordinator Sally Canterna, Adrienne and Hardy’s mother, says the idea for this performance was conceived during a lunch at Panera Bread 14 years ago. During lunch, Sally, Hardy, and Moran “decided to cast doubts and fears aside and take the plunge,” Sally said.
After borrowing a ton of props and costumes, two performances were held the first year with just a fraction of the cast of 100 they have this year.
The borrowed costumes and props have now been replaced by new costumes and massive props including a sled, two castle fronts with drawbridges, a giant Chinese takeout box and a growing Christmas tree.
Each year, the artistic director and choreographer renew “The Nutcracker,” making no two years exactly the same. “Although the basic story always remains the same, there are always little differences and surprises from year to year,” Sally said.
Breslin also feels the performances have evolved over the years. Lead roles such as the Snow Queen, once reserved for guest dancers, are now performed by senior dancers like Breslin.
“‘The Nutcracker’ has always been such a magical experience,” Breslin said, “I get to learn so much about performing, acting and dancing.”
Knowing students look forward to once-again auditioning for “The Nutcracker” means a lot to Hardy. Like Breslin, there will be other seniors performing this year who started out as cherubs.
“I do feel super blessed that kids want to come back each year,” she said.
Performances will be held at Chesapeake High School, 4798 Mountain Road, at 7 p.m. Dec. 8, 2 and 7 p.m. on Dec. 9 and 2 p.m. on Dec. 10.
Ticket prices are $24 for adults, $18 for seniors ages 65 and older and children 12-years-old and younger. Group prices of $17 per person are available for organizations or groups of 15 or more. Reserved seating is available through www.tututix.com.
For additional information, call 410-859-8511. Remaining tickets will be sold at the theater on the days of performances prior to the show.
Meeting
Green Haven Improvement Association will meet at 7 p.m. on Nov. 28 at George Fox Middle School, 7922 Outing Ave.
Officers for 2018 will be nominated and officers and board members will be elected. For details, contact Dorothy Hagins at ghiassociation@yahoo.com.
Breakfast with Santa
Riviera Beach VFC, 8506 Fort Smallwood Road, hosts breakfast with Santa 9 a.m.-noon on Dec. 2. Breakfast menu is scrambled eggs, sausage, and bacon. this event is free. A puppet show featuring “Pam and Rascal” will also be held.
For details, call Gloria Lewis at 410-693-0020.
Northeast High School Cheerleaders are hosting breakfast with Santa 9 a.m.-noon on Dec. 10 at the NHS cafeteria, 1121 Duvall Hwy. AUCE pancake and sausage breakfast. Cost is $10 for adults, $8 for children 10 to 3 years old, children under three eat for free. New, unwrapped toys will be collected for the Kamryn Lambert Foundation. For details, call Pam Paulis at 443-591-6807.
Advent church services
Pasadena UMC, 61 Ritchie Hwy., is having Advent and Christmas services in December.
First Sunday of Advent Dec. 3, 9 a.m. cafe church, 10:30 a.m. traditional worship, and 11:45 a.m. potluck dinner.
Second and Third Sundays of Advent Dec. 10 and 17, 9 a.m. cafe church and 10:30 a.m. traditional worship.
Final Advent Dec. 24, 9 a.m. cafe church, 7:30 p.m. informal Christmas Eve service and 10 p.m. traditional candlelight service.
Pasadena UMC will hold a live nativity at 6, 6:30 and 7 p.m. on Dec. 16 and 17. Hot chocolate, coffee and cookies served after story.
Church theater
The C3 Players of Church, 206 Weston Woods Dr., will hold their annual dinner theater at 7 p.m. Dec 8 and 1 and 7 p.m. Dec. 9.
Associate Pastor Thom E Dawson will be directing this year’s musical titled “How to Have the Best Christmas Ever,” about a mother of two teenagers who wishes they were younger. Soon, she is forced to find joy in the present day.
Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. Prices include dinner. Call Lisa Dawson 410-903-2420 for tickets and more information.
