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Classic Christmas show at Akron Civic Theatre will again feature girl from Suffield Township
By Kim Hone-McMahan
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 11:58 a.m. EST, Nov 27, 2009
It's a sure sign that Christmas is around the corner when the dancers at the Ballet Theatre of Ohio perform The Nutcracker on the stage of the historic Akron Civic Theatre.
Now in its 17th season, the program continues to charm audiences with the tale of Clara, an imaginative child who travels through a land of visions, filled with wondrous adventures.
But it seems the annual performance no longer is complete without Kelsey Minick.
The 9-year-old's spine was severed by her first adoptive father, Gerald Hyre, during a fit of rage in 2002. The abuse that's left her in a wheelchair hasn't broken the spirit of the Russian-born child, who was re-adopted by Chuck and Sue Minick of Suffield Township.
Today, it's not unusual to find her spinning her wheelchair in circles in the living room of her parents' Victorian-style home. In her fairy tale, Kelsey is dancing tall on the tips of her toes.
When the folks at the Ballet Theatre of Ohio read about Kelsey in a Beacon Journal series in 2006, Artistic Director Christine Meneer asked the Minicks whether their daughter could play the younger sister of Clara. This year, Kelsey will play Clara's sister during this weekend's performance and the part of the Sugar Plum Express, the costume made to accommodate her small wheelchair, during all seven shows.
Immediately after the stories about Kelsey appeared in the paper, the Minick family was showered with cards and gifts. Strangers left stuffed animals on the porch of their Suffield Township home. And more than 150 people had telephoned them by the final installment of the four-day series.
So popular is the little girl that when the dancers gather to sign autographs after The Nutcracker, Meneer said, the line waiting for Kelsey is the longest.
''She loves meeting new friends and being on stage,'' said her mother, Sue. ''Her favorite are the Russian dancers.''
''And,'' Kelsey added, ''signing autographs.''
A dreamer and her elves With 100 dancers in the cast, including dozens of children, it's a labor of love for Meneer. Even as she sleeps, she's dreaming of The Nutcracker. And, now and then, an idea is so great, it nudges her from a deep slumber.
''My brain never stops,'' Meneer joked. ''I have a notepad next to my bed. I'm really getting good at writing down my ideas in the dark.
''I like to do it all, that's my biggest problem. I design most of the costumes and I have my hand in on picking the material.''
It's a huge undertaking, but what makes it easier are the people who help — accumulating some 10,000 volunteer hours.
''There are 250 costumes, all handmade by volunteer parents,'' she said.
Though wardrobe mistress Barbara Kelly of Stow no longer has a child in the performance, she continues to help.
''If a child doesn't fit a costume, she will never let them know. She will go home and that night make an entire new costume for the child,'' Meneer said. ''She is so talented and dedicated.''
Even without a show taking place on stage, simply walking into the Civic Theatre is a magical experience for many.
Said Meneer: ''Children feel like little royalty when they go in there.''
Star performers
All lead roles are double cast, making for a different show each weekend. The role of Clara for performances this weekend will be danced by Mika Takahashi, a seventh-grader at Akron's Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts. Joining her will be Jurijs Safonovs as the Nutcracker and the Arabian Prince; Brian Murphy and Katie Edmonds as the Snow King and Queen; and Megan Coleman and Damien Highfield as the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier.
Week 2, Joanna Sullivan, a seventh-grader at Stow's Kimpton Middle School, will dance the role of Clara. Joining her will be Robert Wesner as the Nutcracker and the Arabian Prince; Damien Highfield and Megan Coleman as the Snow King and Queen; and Andrea Blankstein and Brian Murphy as the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier.
And for the 17th season, Joshua Isley will play the role of Drosselmyer.
''The professional quality is very unique with our company,'' Meneer said. ''They are a cut above.''
Kim Hone-McMahan can be reached at 330-996-3742 or kmcmahan@thebeaconjournal.com.
Details
• What: Ballet Theatre of Ohio presents The Nutcracker
• When: 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and Dec. 5 and Dec. 6; 7 p.m. on Saturday and Dec. 4 and Dec. 5.
• Where: Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St.
• Cost: Ticket prices are $18 to $40 with discounts available by visiting the Ballet Theatre of Ohio Web site at http://www.ballettheatreohio.org. New this year are $10 backstage tours following the 2 p.m. performances on Saturday, Sunday and Dec. 5. Advance tickets are available by calling the Akron Civic Theatre box office at 330-253-2488 or through Ticketmaster, 800-745-3000.
• More information: Doors open an hour prior to each performance. See if you can spot Santa Claus and the Nutcracker during that time.
It's a sure sign that Christmas is around the corner when the dancers at the Ballet Theatre of Ohio perform The Nutcracker on the stage of the historic Akron Civic Theatre.
Now in its 17th season, the program continues to charm audiences with the tale of Clara, an imaginative child who travels through a land of visions, filled with wondrous adventures.
But it seems the annual performance no longer is complete without Kelsey Minick.
The 9-year-old's spine was severed by her first adoptive father, Gerald Hyre, during a fit of rage in 2002. The abuse that's left her in a wheelchair hasn't broken the spirit of the Russian-born child, who was re-adopted by Chuck and Sue Minick of Suffield Township.
Today, it's not unusual to find her spinning her wheelchair in circles in the living room of her parents' Victorian-style home. In her fairy tale, Kelsey is dancing tall on the tips of her toes.
When the folks at the Ballet Theatre of Ohio read about Kelsey in a Beacon Journal series in 2006, Artistic Director Christine Meneer asked the Minicks whether their daughter could play the younger sister of Clara. This year, Kelsey will play Clara's sister during this weekend's performance and the part of the Sugar Plum Express, the costume made to accommodate her small wheelchair, during all seven shows.
Immediately after the stories about Kelsey appeared in the paper, the Minick family was showered with cards and gifts. Strangers left stuffed animals on the porch of their Suffield Township home. And more than 150 people had telephoned them by the final installment of the four-day series.
So popular is the little girl that when the dancers gather to sign autographs after The Nutcracker, Meneer said, the line waiting for Kelsey is the longest.
''She loves meeting new friends and being on stage,'' said her mother, Sue. ''Her favorite are the Russian dancers.''
''And,'' Kelsey added, ''signing autographs.''
A dreamer and her elves With 100 dancers in the cast, including dozens of children, it's a labor of love for Meneer. Even as she sleeps, she's dreaming of The Nutcracker. And, now and then, an idea is so great, it nudges her from a deep slumber.
''My brain never stops,'' Meneer joked. ''I have a notepad next to my bed. I'm really getting good at writing down my ideas in the dark.
''I like to do it all, that's my biggest problem. I design most of the costumes and I have my hand in on picking the material.''
It's a huge undertaking, but what makes it easier are the people who help — accumulating some 10,000 volunteer hours.
''There are 250 costumes, all handmade by volunteer parents,'' she said.
Though wardrobe mistress Barbara Kelly of Stow no longer has a child in the performance, she continues to help.
''If a child doesn't fit a costume, she will never let them know. She will go home and that night make an entire new costume for the child,'' Meneer said. ''She is so talented and dedicated.''
Even without a show taking place on stage, simply walking into the Civic Theatre is a magical experience for many.
Said Meneer: ''Children feel like little royalty when they go in there.''
Star performers
All lead roles are double cast, making for a different show each weekend. The role of Clara for performances this weekend will be danced by Mika Takahashi, a seventh-grader at Akron's Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts. Joining her will be Jurijs Safonovs as the Nutcracker and the Arabian Prince; Brian Murphy and Katie Edmonds as the Snow King and Queen; and Megan Coleman and Damien Highfield as the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier.
Week 2, Joanna Sullivan, a seventh-grader at Stow's Kimpton Middle School, will dance the role of Clara. Joining her will be Robert Wesner as the Nutcracker and the Arabian Prince; Damien Highfield and Megan Coleman as the Snow King and Queen; and Andrea Blankstein and Brian Murphy as the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier.
And for the 17th season, Joshua Isley will play the role of Drosselmyer.
''The professional quality is very unique with our company,'' Meneer said. ''They are a cut above.''
Kim Hone-McMahan can be reached at 330-996-3742 or kmcmahan@thebeaconjournal.com.
Details
• What: Ballet Theatre of Ohio presents The Nutcracker
• When: 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and Dec. 5 and Dec. 6; 7 p.m. on Saturday and Dec. 4 and Dec. 5.
• Where: Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St.
• Cost: Ticket prices are $18 to $40 with discounts available by visiting the Ballet Theatre of Ohio Web site at http://www.ballettheatreohio.org. New this year are $10 backstage tours following the 2 p.m. performances on Saturday, Sunday and Dec. 5. Advance tickets are available by calling the Akron Civic Theatre box office at 330-253-2488 or through Ticketmaster, 800-745-3000.
• More information: Doors open an hour prior to each performance. See if you can spot Santa Claus and the Nutcracker during that time.
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