Peninsula Youth Ballet Announces The Mesmerizing 2013 “nutcracker”

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Oct. 15, 2013 - PRLog -- After undergoing a 28 million dollar renovation, the grandeur of the new San Mateo Performing Arts Center is guaranteed to provide guests with a magical and intimate setting. The once cramped lobby has been revamped with an open three-story space with breathtaking views. The San Mateo Performing Arts Center can now rival any professional theater in the Bay Area with its convex acoustic panels that ensure even sound quality and its carefully designed 1,540 wrap-around seating arrangement. Architect, Mark Quattrocchi, spared no detail and dedicated his efforts towards ensuring the audience would enjoy the finest viewing experience. It will be difficult to find a bad seat in the house after these complex renovations have rendered the Performing Arts Center with a modern and majestic atmosphere that will certainly bring a fresh and exciting element to this year’s presentation of PYB’s Nutcracker.

Since this fairytale ballet premieredat the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg in 1892, the Nutcracker has become one of the most popular ballets of all time. The timeless characters and visually stimulating choreography, costumes, and set design leave no doubt as to why this enchanting performance holds a special place in many families’ holiday traditions.

The Nutcracker is performed each year by countless ballet companies throughout the world. PYB’s Nutcracker continues to owe its successful performances to choreographer, Ayako Takahashi’s artistic vision and capacity to enhance her dancer’s abilities and strengths. This year’s performance will be especially amazing with the list of professional guest dancers: Jekyns Palaez from Diablo Ballet, Matthew Linzer formerly Smuin SF and Akira Takahashi from Ballet San Jose as the Cavalier; Mariko Takahashi from the Menlowe Ballet and Amy Briones from Ballet San Jose as the Sugar Plum Fairy (both dancers are alumni of Ayako School of Ballet). Other male guest dancers include, Thomas Baker from Ballet San Jose, and Alec Guthrie as a Prince. The Drosselmeyer and Mouse King will be played by Marte Madera. Little Clara will be played by Mari Kojima, Kayla Jumig and Sophia Kourtoglou. Clara’s dream scene will be performed Karina Eimon, Tracy Wheelwright and Alanna Cummiskey.

Each year, PYB focuses on fine tuning every scene and adding a unique touch to captivate the audience and make their rendition of the Nutcracker a must-see performance.

“For nearly 20 years, I have had the opportunity to work with hundreds of professional and amateur dancers,” said Ayako Takahashi, PYB’s artistic director.  “I am always amazed at the immense talent here on the Peninsula.  These performers come alive on stage and use their talents to keep audiences enthralled year after year.”

Shortly after certain, select 2:00 pm matinee performances, children will be able to meet the characters from the “Sugar Plum Kingdom” at “Clara’s Tea Party”, which includes cookies, punch, a photo with a favorite character and a surprise gift.

Who:          The Peninsula Youth Ballet

What:          The 2013 Nutcracker ballet performance

Where:          San Mateo Performing Arts Center

When:          November 30^th          2:00 pm

         December 1^st          2:00 pm and 7:00 pm

         December 7^th          2:00 pm

         December 8^th          2:00pm

Ticket Prices:          Range from $45.00 to $75.00 (early bird tickets available)

Clara’s Tea Party:  $10.00 per person

         Discounts available for groups   650-631-3767
Info and Tickets:       Online at www.pyb.org or call 800-595-4849

About PYB:  The Peninsula Youth Ballet was founded in 1979. It is a non-profit organization, whose goals are to bring attention to young dancers and to promote an interest in the art of ballet and dance within the local community. Under Ayako Takahashi’s direction, PYB has provided dancers the opportunity to improve their dance skills through professional level preparation and presentation of classical and contemporary works. To learn more about PYB, call (650) 631-3767 or visit the company’s website at www.pyb.org.