"The Snow Queen" ballet in Glendale Dec. 17-19

Hans Christian Andersen’s classic wintertime fairytale comes to life for the 13th annual production of the California Contemporary Ballet’s adaptation of “The Snow Queen,” complete with Gypsies, Crows, Reindeer, an Enchantress, a Prince and a Princess, the Snow Queen, and many more, as young Gerda goes on the adventure of a lifetime in search of her best friend Kai.

“The Snow Queen” ballet will be presented at Glendale Community College, Performing Arts Theatre, 1500 North Verdugo Boulevard, Glendale, California 91208. Performances are Friday, December 17 at 7:30pm, Saturday, December 18 at 2:00pm and 7:30pm and Sunday, December 19 at 2pm. Advance tickets are $25.00 for adults and $20.00 for students. Tickets at the door are $30.00 for adults and $25.00 for students. For reservations and information log on to www.snowqueenballet.com, http://brownpapertickets.com/event/132982 or call 818-790-7924.

“The Snow Queen” ballet is an engaging alternative to the usual holiday fare and is a wonderful story embellished by elaborate costumes, innovative sets and lighting design. The story demonstrates how the power of friendship, hope, integrity, persistence and determination can overcome any obstacles any in life.

Principal dancers include Alyssa Thompson as the Snow Queen, Kelsey Glidewell and Diane Cheeseman as Gerda, Rob Westin as Kai, Laura Mauldin as the Princess, Nick Zerman as the Prince and Amanda Hart as the Enchantress. The Gypsies are James Keen and Emma Mesrobian, the Crow is Andy Lawson, the Reindeer is Armando Yearwood, with the Doe and Guardian Angels being danced by Isabella Bunting and Kayla Stepanian. Rose is Julie Sanchez. The production also features a large cast of talented dancers in smaller roles and in the ballet chorus.

Some of local cast members, returning to the production or making debuts include Alyssa Thompson who is a principal member of the California Theatrical Contemporary Ballet and resides in Canyon Country. She joined the troupe in 1999. A highly dramatic and technically versatile dancer she has performed the role of the Snow Queen in the 2002, 2004 and 2006 productions and is performing it again this year. Kelsey Glidewell, making her starring role debut as Gerda, has appeared in numerous roles in various productions for the last eleven years. She is currently a senior at La Canada High School. Diane Cheeseman, a recent transplant from New York City, now residing in North Hollywood is a versatile dancer/actress. A new member of the California Contemporary Ballet she is also making her debut in the role of Gerda. Laura Maudlin of Orange County, is a teacher at California DanceArts. Last year she performed the role of Gerda and this year she is taking on the challenging role of The Princess. She is joined by Nick Zerman, of Pasadena, as the Prince, who is also making his debut in this role. A twelve year veteran of the Snow Queen, past performance highlights have included dancing the roles of the Crow, the Reindeer and appearing as Kai for three seasons. Amanda Hart, of North Hollywood, is a teacher at California DanceArts and is making her debut with the California Contemporary Ballet in the role of the Enchantress.

“The Snow Queen” is choreographed by Erin Holt, Artistic Director of the California Contemporary Ballet, with original music by Randall Michael Tobin. The pair is credited as creating the first adaptation of the Andersen’s story, which premiered in 1998.

Ms. Holt is an award winning international choreographer of theatrical events, stage productions, competitions and ballets. In 1987 she founded California DanceArts in LaCanada. As a child she studied with Fawn Pickett, a former Martha Graham student and was considered a modern dance child prodigy. She also received personal mentoring from Charles Russell, who served as the Executive Assistant to Robert Joffrey of the Joffrey Ballet, and later became a principal dancer for his choreography. Additional dance credits include the Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company and Momentum Dance Company. She also appeared in the original cast of dancers in Andrew Lloyd’s Weber’s opera “Requiem.”

Songwriter, composer, producer and sound engineer Randall Michael Tobin has hundreds of commercially released projects to his credit. He began playing music by ear at age six and later learned music theory in school. He honed his performance and engineering skills while stationed in Germany in the U.S. Airforce, winning two titles in the Airforces’ European talent competition, one as a soloist playing harmonica and the other in an ensemble playing bass. In 1977, upon his return to the states, he founded Theta Sound which has gone to be a successful and innovative recording studio for numerous solo and collaborative music projects.

The California Contemporary Ballet is considered one of Southern California’s burgeoning dance companies, featuring a unique brand of classical and contemporary dance works. The CCBallet is a non-profit company that provides its members the opportunity to perform an exciting repertoire of innovative and original dance projects performed in concerts, theaters and festival throughout the Southland. Additionally, it often features renowned guest choreographers and distinguished visiting, national and international, artists. The CCBallet is resident at the California DanceArts Academy located in the foothills of Los Angeles. The production is presented in part from a two year grant provided by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission.