MANCHESTER, NH – Enjoy the magic and beauty of the timeless classic, The Nutcracker, presented by Southern New Hampshire Dance Theater (SNHDT) at the historic Palace Theatre in downtown Manchester, Thursday, November 21 through Sunday, November 24.
“We are thrilled to have Southern NH Dance Theater back again this year for the 24th season,” said Peter Ramsey, President of the Palace Theatre. “The holiday season just isn’t complete without this annual tradition, and we are proud to present it again this year,” added Ramsey.
This annual performance boasts a cast of over 60 talented dancers and performers, including the talented guest artists that return to the Palace Theatre stage for this annual holiday favorite. Those fan favorites include Zackery Betty-Neagle who will reprise his role as the Nutcracker Prince. Mr. Betty-Neagle is the Artistic Director of NSquared Dance. He holds his MFA in Choreography from Wilson College and BFA in Dance from Marymount Manhattan College. He has collaborated with The Palace Theatre, Southern NH Youth Ballet, Currier Museum of Art, and New Hampshire Dance Collaborative. Fred Davis will perform the roles of Cavalier, Arabian Soloist and Spanish Soloist. Mr. Davis is a former member of the World-Renown Dance Theatre of Harlem in New York City. He has also made guest appearances with professional companies in Alaska, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.
Assaf Benchetrit returns to The Nutcracker stage to perform the roles of Snow King and Arabian Soloist. Mr. Benchetrit began his studies at the Rubin Academy for Music and Dance in Jerusalem, Israel and has danced with the Jerusalem Dance Theater, the Panov Ballet, and companies such as The Joffrey, Metropolitan Classical Ballet, Alabama Ballet, Connecticut Ballet, Portland Ballet, and Gelsey Kirkland Ballet.
Nathan Duszny will perform the roles of Drosselmeyer, Snow King and the Spanish Soloist. His dance credits include 1st National Tour Finding Neverland, National Tour Beauty and the Beast, 1st National Tour Flashdance, Radio City’s Christmas Spectacular, Hairspray, The Chase Brock Experience, She Loves Me, Hello Dolly, and more. Nick Neagle will perform the roles of Soldier Doll, Mouse King, Spanish Dancer, and Candy Cane Soloist. Mr. Neagle holds a BFA in Dance from Marymount Manhattan College and co-founded the NSquared Dance Company. He has self-produced three shows in New York City and two domestic tours to Portland, Maine. He is a recurring choreographer for the Queensboro Dance Festival and the Moving Beauty Series, among others. Thomas Ortiz is a proud alumnus of SNHDT and is returning to The Nutcracker stage to perform the roles of Spanish Dancer and Chinese Soloist. Mr. Ortiz Thomas has worked and performed in theaters across the country including Drury Lane Theatre, Marriott Theatre, Paramount Theatre, Theater at the Center, Bucks County Playhouse, Shakespeare Theatre Company of DC, Joyce Theater, Symphony Space, The Kennedy Center Opera House.
There are several new guest artists joining the cast this year including Brian Sevilla who will perform the role of Cavalier. Mr. Sevilla joined Ballet Manila in 2017, where he performed roles in Rudy De Dios’ Carmina Burana, Martin Lawrence’s Romeo and Juliet, Lisa Macuja-Elizalde’s Snow White, La Traviata and The Sleeping Beauty. He is currently in his second season with New Jersey Ballet. Three SNHDT alumni will return to the Palace Theatre stage as professional guest artists, all performing the coveted role of Sugarplum Fairy, including, Caroline Baggs who continued her professional training with Ballet Academy East in NYC and is currently an apprentice with New Jersey Ballet. Her professional credits include Purcell Suite by Harrison Ball and Concerto Barocco by George Balanchine. Aiva Berrigan, a graduate of Boston Ballet’s Pre-professional program and is currently dancing with Virginia National Ballet after dancing with Cleveland Ballet for the 2023-24 season. Hannah Newman-Williams, is currently dancing with Cincinnati Ballet in Ohio.
Lori Mello, a regular guest artist with SNHDT and former Radio City Music Hall Rockette and Theater Artist will join the cast as Mother Ginger and Party Parent this year. Her performance credits with the Rockettes include the annual Christmas Spectacular, the Today Show, and the
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Her broadway national tours include Cabaret and A Funny Thing Happened… West Side Story and 42nd Street areregional theater favorites.
Southern NH Dance Theater has several artists-in-residence once again returning to the production. Faculty member Douglas Davis will reprise his role of Drosselmeyer. Mr. Davis has danced in both the United States and Europe with the Los Angeles Ballet, the Frankfurt Ballet, Zurich Ballet, and Bern Ballet. Erika Davis, another SNHDT alum will perform as Frau Silberhaus. Erika’s training and professional affiliations include Carolina Ballet, School of American Ballet, North Carolina Dance Theater, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Philadelphia Dance Theater, and Walnut Hill School. Erika has appeared in works by Jessica Lang, Karole Armitage, Charlotte Boye-Christensen, Karen Dearborn, Heidi Cruz-Austin, and Ashley Walton. Faculty member and alumnus Sallie Werst will dance the role of Arabian Soloist. Ms. Werst has danced with Bossov Ballet Theater, Vermont Chamber Ballet, and the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. She also studied in New York City at Ballet Academy East with Darla Hoover and several renowned choreographers.“We have a talented group of guest artists this year and they will be a great compliment to the many local young dancers in the company,” stated Patricia Lavoie, artistic director of Southern NH Dance Theater.
Other lead roles will be performed by Southern NH Dance Theater company dancers including: Harper Lamothe of Peterborough (Clara, Mirliton Ensemble); Kennedy Canfield of Antrim (Columbine Doll, Snowflake, Spanish Ensemble, Mirliton Ensemble, Waltz of the Flowers); Madison Cleland of Bedford (Snow Queen, Dew Drop Fairy, Snowflake, Waltz of the Flowers); Lily Ferreira of Londonderry (Snowflake, Mirliton Ensemble, Spanish Ensemble, Waltz of the Flowers); Taylor Wydom of Bedford (Columbine Doll, Snowflake, Spanish Ensemble, Mirliton Ensemble, Waltz of the Flowers); Hadley Hornor of Amherst (Mirliton Soloist, Dew Drop Fairy, Snowflake, Spanish Ensemble, Waltz of the Flowers); Skylar Kucera of Brookline (Snow Queen, Snowflake, Mirliton Soloist, Waltz of the Flowers); Arianna Mistretta of Concord (Spanish Soloist, Mirliton Soloist, Snowflake, Waltz of the Flowers); Lillian Ruby of Goffstown (Dew Drop Fairy, Spanish Ensemble, Snowflake, Waltz of the Flowers); Hailey Breuder of Bedford (Harlequin Doll, Spanish Ensemble, Mirliton Ensemble, Snowflake, Waltz of the Flowers); Zoe Ostermiller of Brookline (Columbine Doll, Chinese Soloist, Mirliton Ensemble); Meagan Murphy of Derry (Spanish Soloist, Mirliton Ensemble, Snowflake, Waltz of the Flowers); Madeline Lerner of Nashua (Chinese Soloist, Mirliton Ensemble, Waltz of the Flowers); Athena Santini of Hopkinton (Clara, Mirliton Ensemble); Sydney Montgomery of Auburn (Chinese Soloist, Mirliton Ensemble, Snowflake, Waltz of the Flowers); Cordelia Barnett of Auburn (Harlequin Doll, Chinese Soloist, Mirliton Ensemble, Waltz of the Flowers); along with many more local talented area youth.
For over 20 seasons Southern NH Dance Theater has established a reputation for offering high-caliber professional performances and this year’s production of The Nutcracker is a time-honored tradition that you will not want to miss. The delicate costumes, engaging and vivid imagery all in a safe, fun environment. This holiday classic is a tradition for the whole family to enjoy. The 24th annual production of The Nutcracker will be performed Thursday, November 21st through Sunday, November 24th. For show times and ticket information call the Palace Theatre Box Office at 603.668.5588 or visit www.palacetheatre.org or www.snhdt.org.