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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Crashes trigger roadside fires ... History cleared for takeoff ... Jacksonville chamber, business association to merge ... Crashes trigger roadside fires ... History cleared for takeoff ... Jacksonville chamber, business association to merge ... DANCE This Nutcracker ballet will have a superhero twist A local ballet company is tapping into the superhero craze to make its Nutcracker character more engaging for contemporary audience members — especially boys. Comment By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 11, 2014 at 12:00 PM Updated Dec 11, 2014 at 12:35 PM By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 11, 2014 at 12:00 PM Updated Dec 11, 2014 at 12:35 PM Ballet mixes with tea party --> The Stillpoint Ballet Studio will present is annual production of "The Nutcracker" at the Grants Pass High School Performing Arts Center, 830 N.E. Ninth St. » Read more X Ballet mixes with tea party The Stillpoint Ballet Studio will present is annual production of "The Nutcracker" at the Grants Pass High School Performing Arts Center, 830 N.E. Ninth St. Now in its 23rd season, the Grants Pass ballet studio's "The Nutcracker" is a spectacular full-length production. Each year is fresh, with new elements and choreography adjusted to the strongest points of current dancers, according to Stillpoint Ballet Studio. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12; 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13; 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21. Ticket prices range from $15 to $20 for adults and $12 for senior citizens and children ages 3-11. Tickets are available at the door, at the Uniform Emporium at 401 S.E. Sixth St. in Grants Pass or online at www.gpnutcracker.org . New this year, adults and children ages three and up can attend a 19th Century-style tea party from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20, or Sunday, Dec. 21, in the Performing Arts Center Chorus Room. Tickets to the tea, which includes lunch, tea, treats, face painting and photo opportunities, are $20. For tea tickets, see www.practicallyperfectchildrensparties.com . » Social News A local ballet company is tapping into the superhero craze to make its Nutcracker character more engaging for contemporary audience members — especially boys. "We wanted our Nutcracker to be almost like a superhero," says David Roxander of Medford's Studio Roxander Academy of Ballet. ""I wanted every little boy in the theater to say, 'I want to be that next Halloween.' It's always a struggle to get boys interested in ballet. Traditionally, the Nutcracker doesn't look very cool. I wanted this guy to look cool." David Roxander and his son, Ashton Roxander — who plays the title role in the company's "The Nutcracker" ballet this month — used an Iron Man superhero mask as a base to create their own Nutcracker mask. Layers of foam rubber, glue and latex paint give it a more skin-like surface, compared to traditional wooden masks. The Nutcracker's large eyes topped by fierce, curlicue eyebrows are inspired by Japanese anime animation. Audiences can watch the Nutcracker come to life and do battle against the evil Mouse King at 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13; 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20 and 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21 in the Crater Performing Arts Center, 655 N. Third St., Central Point. Tickets cost $14 to $20, $10 to $16 for seniors and children, and can be purchased at Studio Roxander Academy of Ballet, 101 E. 10th St., Medford, online at studioroxander.com , or by calling 541-773-7272. Following the 1 p.m. matinee performances on Dec. 13, 14 and 20, audience members can visit the "Kingdom of Sweets" to get signed photographs of the performers. An additional $5 ticket is required. David Roxander says superheroes have moved into the mainstream of American pop culture, especially with the proliferation of blockbuster movies starring such characters. "I've been a superhero fan since I was six years old. I used to get comics at the 7-Eleven for 12 cents. In my day, people used to tease you about it," he says. David Roxander says he hopes the superhero Nutcracker will appeal to boys who come to watch the classic ballet. Performed since the 1890s, "The Nutcracker" tells the story of Clara, who is intrigued by a wooden nutcracker doll brought to her home on Christmas Eve by her godfather. At the stroke of midnight, the doll comes to life and must lead gingerbread soldiers against the Mouse King and his rodent minions. The ballet will also feature plenty of magical dolls, snowflake flurries, visions of sugar plums and elaborate costumes to appeal to the audience's feminine side. Elyse Roxander says a Mother Ginger character will have an enormous, eight-foot-diameter hoop skirt. Young ballet dancers dressed as gumdrops will emerge from the dress. An Arabian princess will wear a new hand-jeweled costume that is both sensual and elegant, she says. "We'll have a beautiful, newly choreographed piece with an Arabian princess. The music will be very unusual," Elyse Roxander says. The company's performance of the "Nutcracker" ballet this year also will feature redesigned costumes for other characters and freshly choreographed dances, she says. By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 11, 2014 at 12:00 PM Updated Dec 11, 2014 at 12:35 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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