Canton Ballet returns to Palace Theatre stage with 'The Nutcracker'

CANTON — Larry Rebillot recalls the wonder of stepping on stage and twirling a rifle as a toy soldier in "The Nutcracker" for Canton Ballet in the 1980s.

Rebillot wore a costume and makeup as children watched in the audience. Some of them would grow up to perform with the ballet.

That is the power of the performing arts and the wonder of "The Nutcracker," said Rebillot, now 59 and a Canton Ballet alumnus.

And he's going to relive the moment when he returns to the role of the toy soldier for Saturday and Sunday's presentation of "The Nutcracker" at Canton Palace Theatre.

Rebillot is among the new additions and special features after "The Nutcracker" was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, said Cassandra Crowley, the ballet's executive and artistic director.

"The rifle twirler is unique to our production," she said. "I've never seen anybody do anything like that before."

"I think it's a fabulous family opportunity," Crowley said of the entire production. "People often bring their children and grandchildren — it's a family tradition."

"I think some of the exceptional things that we have are beautiful costumes and really professional scenery," she added.

Rebillot said this year's shows are also an opportunity to again share the beauty of live performance while inspiring youth.

"Just like anything in the arts, getting back to at least some normalcy is just a thrill for the young dancers," said Rebillot, a 1980 Louisville High School graduate with a background in percussion, including with the Canton Bluecoats, as well as being experienced in dance and musical theater.

"We've all been reveling in the fact (former Canton Ballet student Amanda Kloots) was on TV (as a finalist in 'Dancing With the Stars'), and we knew she was one of ours," he said.

"To know that anybody in the arts can thrive, we've lost that," said Rebillot, who teaches middle school students in the arts in Northern Kentucky. "We've lost so many kids who never joined band (or dance during the pandemic), and these kids haven't been able to experience 'The Nutcracker,' and it's life-changing."

Tickets and COVID requirements

"The Nutcracker" will be Canton Ballet's most noteworthy performance since the COVID-19 pandemic started, Crowley said.

"So it's even more exciting for them to see what it's like to come back on stage," she said.

Due to pandemic concerns, dancers have worn masks while rehearsing. About 30 performers will be on stage at once at the Palace as opposed to the usual 40, Crowley noted. The entire cast totals more than 100, including adults, teenagers and children as young as 5.

"We're just trying to be careful and respectful of everybody and get our work done," she said.

Performances will be 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Palace Theatre at 605 Market Ave. N in downtown Canton.

Doors open at 1 p.m. Tickets are available through the Canton Ballet at www.cantonballet.com/ or by calling the Canton Ballet ticket office at 330-455-7220.

Remaining tickets, from $20 to $38 each, will be sold at the door starting at 1 p.m.

Access to a live stream of "The Nutcracker" from home also can be purchased at the Canton Ballet's website.

The performance is two hours, including intermission. Details about COVID-19 requirements for "The Nutcracker" are also posted on the ballet's website.

Masks must be worn in the theater.

All audience members age 12 and older must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Children younger than 12 are exempt.

“Fully vaccinated” means that 14 days have passed since either the second shot of a CDC or WHO-approved two-shot vaccine or since the administration of a CDC or WHO-approved one-shot vaccine.

Ticket holders must show proof of vaccination or a negative test result at their time of entry into the theater with a valid ticket. It may be on paper or a smartphone.

Christmas classic

Returning to stage for the beloved holiday classic is special, Crowley said.

"It's a fairytale in the way it talks about a little girl's dream and her fantasy with the handsome prince ... and it shows her dream, where she goes in her dream and the characters she meets," she said. "And it's all very fun and exciting and is set at a Christmas party with a Christmas tree — it kind of brings it home to everybody."

Professional dancers will be showcased in the roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier — Brittany Stone, of the Washington Ballet, and Canton Ballet alumnus and Cleveland Ballet principal guest artist Zachary Catazaro.

A Northeast Ohio holiday tradition for more than 50 years, the ballet is set to Tchaikovsky’s score while telling the story of young Clara as she journeys with her Nutcracker Prince to meet the Sugar Plum Fairy.

"I think people who come all the time will still find new things they will enjoy," Crowley said. "We usually have a couple (former dancers and participants who return), but this year we have quite a few."

Don't drop the rifle

Rebillot, meanwhile, said returning to his role of the toy soldier has required practice.

"I'm trying to base most of it off the previous choreography of 30 years ago ...," said Rebillot, color guard senior instructor with the University of Cincinnati's band. "I just need to get that muscle memory back, so I don't have any possibility of making a mistake.

"I can drop that rifle just like anything else you throw in the air," he said. "So if we want that touchdown, you can't drop the ball."

Reach Ed at 330-580-8315 and ebalint@gannett.com

On Twitter @ebalintREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Canton Ballet back on stage with holiday classic "The Nutcracker"