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Lexington Ballet Company presented dances from The Nutcracker at Kentucky Children’s Hospital

Dancers with the Lexington Ballet Company perform an abridged version of The Nutcracker at Kentucky Children's Hospital.
Clay Wallace
Dancers with the Lexington Ballet Company perform an abridged version of The Nutcracker at Kentucky Children's Hospital.

Before each selection, Artistic Director Eric Trope described the scene kids were about to see played out in front of them.

"Marie is going to dance with the nutcracker and you're going to watch out for Fritz, who does a little bit of naughty behavior and takes the nutcracker away and tries to break it," explains Trope. "But, luckily, the Sugar Plum Fairy comes and fixes it for Marie."

Fritz, the mischievous younger brother character, was played by company dancer Alex Bellocq. He said he was proud to bring the story to kids who might not be able to come to a traditional performance of the show.

"Ballet is usually onstage, because we control the environment so much and it's obviously necessary for the fullest expression of the art," said Bellocq, "But getting to bring the art out into the public and the community - especially a hospital - it's really meaningful to get to share it with kids who are unable to come to the theater themselves."

The Nutcracker is one of the most widely recognized ballet performances, with characters that appeal to all ages, from the graceful Sugar Plum Fairy to the energetic and lively Marie.

"We also have characters like the nasty little brother Fritz, who is a bit more grumbly because he didn't get a present," said Bellocq. "He has a furrowed brow, he's stomping his feet a lot more and he's rolling his eyes and even blowing a raspberry to his sister."

The Lexington Ballet Company will be performing The Nutcracker in its entirety at the Lexington Opera House in mid December. Showtimes and additional information can be found at Lexington Ballet's website.