RUTH PAGE'S 
"THE NUTCRACKER"
The Ruth Page Center for the Arts 50th Anniversary Presentation

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18
1 & 5 p.m.
JLC Mainstage

Ruth Page’s "The Nutcracker" 

Victor Alexander, Director 

Dolores Long, Associate Director 

Ruth Page’s The Nutcracker 

Classic ballet in two acts, based on E.T.A. Hoffman’s fairy tale “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” written in 1816. 

Music by Piotr I. Tchaikovsky 

Original Choreography by Ruth Page 

Additional Choreography by Dolores Long, Larry Long, and Birute Barodicaite 

Costume Design by José Verona 

Script by Tom Etlinger and William Raffeld 

Lighting Direction and Design by Shelbi Arndt 

Artistic Director - Victor Alexander 

Associate Director - Dolores Long 

Rehearsal Director - Birute Barodicaite 

Children’s Director - Laura Wade 

Soldier Director – Wesley Owens 

Director of Actors - Renardo Johnson 

Rehearsal Assistant - Edith Barrágan 

Season Sponsors 

The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, Northeastern Illinois University, College of Lake County, Copa Airlines - The Ruth Page Center’s Official International Airline Partner to Latin America 

The Nutcracker 

Act I 

A cozy Christmas Eve party at the Stahlbaum home. When midnight strikes, the evening takes a magical turn, and the house is transformed into a battleground. Once the battle has ended, Clara and her Prince are then transported to a beautiful pine forest: The Land of Snow.  

Party Scene 

Dr. Stahlbaum - Neal McCollam 

Mrs. Stahlbaum - Marie Goulet 

Grandfather - Nelson Reyes 

Grandmother - Juliette Mitre 

Maids - Chrissy Atterberry and María Victoria Matos 

Drosselmeyer - Jeffery Hancock 

Clara - Caroline Cochrane 

Fritz - Conor McGuire 

Nephew - Ivan Aguayo 

Party Guests - Wilson Hicken, Annette Hughes, Renardo Johnson, Therese Kinasiewicz, Tyler Nielsen, and Taryn Smith 

Party Children - Hyacinth Bauman-Goldberg, Chloe Butler, Isabelle Cody-Kallen, Gabriel Desser, Caroline Grodnick, Samara Grossman, Klein Khim, Isabella Moore, Avani Shah, Harper Wright, and Oliver Zorach-Phillips 

Columbine and Harlequin Dolls - Peri Rogers and Rigoberto Saura 

Cantiniere and Soldier Dolls - Kathryn Nairn and Michel Rodriguez-Cintra 

Doll Understudy: Grace Butler 

Battle Scene 

Nutcracker Prince - Ivan Aguayo 

Mouse King - Todd Michael Kiech 

Mice - John Atterberry, La Mar Brown, Richard Echevarria, Wilson Hicken, Xavier Lillig, Francisco Melendez, and Jordan Ricks 

Soldiers - Hayden Cole, Grant Drury, Mallory Drury, Rohan Fuldeore, Stephanie Manneh, Anay Priyadarshi, Lennon Schau, Rowan Stoney, Mason Valencia, Caily Viray, Camden Viray, and Oliver Zorach-Phillips 

Land of Snow 

Snow Queen – Lucy Taylor (1pm), Suttyn Simon (5pm) 

Snow King - Andy Sousa 

Snowflakes - Katherine Alvarado, Mayrav Bader, Alexandra Bradley, Grace Butler, Patricia Cepeda, Agatha Frisch, Beata Frisch, Amanda de la Fuente, Moriah Mitchell, Natalie Morro, Kathryn Nairn, Maurissa Powell, Peri Rogers, and Exodis Ward, Understudies - Devyn Simon 

--- Intermission ---  

Act II 

Clara and her Prince travel to the Kingdom of Sweets. In honor of our heroine, the Sugar Plum Fairy presents a celebration of sweets from around the world. 

Kingdom of Sweets 

Sugar Plum Fairy – Marianne Bassing 

Cavalier - Jackson Liee 

Clara - Caroline Cochrane 

Nutcracker Prince - Ivan Aguayo 

Angels - Hyacinth Bauman-Goldberg, Chloe Butler, Sanyah Doss, Lakeeshia Hunley, Ellie McGillen, Isabella Moore, Avani Shah, and Annabelle Wrocinski 

Divertissements 

Hot Chocolate 

Soloist - Marco Clemente 

Corps - John Atterberry, La Mar Brown, Sara Kuzminski, Kathryn Nairn, Maurissa Powell, and Devyn Simon, Understudies - Mayrav Bader, Richard Echevarria 

Coffee 

Pas de Deux - Jessie Gutierrez and Rigoberto Saura 

Corps - Isabelle Cody-Kallen, Mikya Dale, Samara Grossman, and Harper Wright  

Tea 

Soloist - Agatha Frisch 

Corps - Mayrav Bader, Grace Butler 

Mother Ginger - Todd Michael Kiech 

Bonbons - Milan Dale, Gabriel Desser, Samantha Desser, Caroline Grodnick, Klein Khim, Stephanie Manneh, Conor McGuire, and Annabelle Webster, Understudy - Kayla Morris 

Trepak 

Soloist - Michel Rodriguez-Cintra 

Corps - John Atterberry, Richard Echevarria, María Victoria Matos, Francisco Melendez, Jordan Ricks, and Lauren Steed, Understudy - Xavier Lillig 

Marzipan 

Soloist – Peri Rogers (1pm), Devyn Simon (5pm) 

Corps - Patricia Cepeda (both), Maurissa Powell (both), Madeline Kiesel (1pm), Devyn Simon (1pm), Peri Rogers (5pm), Exodis Ward (5pm) 

Candy Canes 

Hyacinth Bauman-Goldberg, Chloe Butler, Isabella Moore, Avani Shah, Ava Trpeski and Annabelle Wrocinski, Understudy - Lakeeshia Hunley 

Waltz of the Flowers 

American Beauty Rose – Suttyn Simon (1pm), Lucy Taylor (5pm) 

Yellow Roses - Sara Kuzminski and Kathryn Nairn 

Flowers - Katherine Alvarado, Alexandra Bradley, Beata Frisch, Amanda de la Fuente, Moriah Mitchell, and Natalie Morro, Understudy - Grace Butler 

Grand Pas de Deux 

Sugar Plum Fairy – Marianne Bassing 

Cavalier - Jackson Liee 

Finale - Ensemble 

Ruth Page’s The Nutcracker 2021 Production Credits 

Lighting Direction and Design - Shelbi Arndt 

Stage Manager - Jan Watson 

Sound Engineer - Ron Wirth 

Production Coordinator - MaryAnn McGovern

Wardrobe Lead - Claire Lyons  

Wardrobe Assistant - Eduardo Sosa 

Crew Lead - Jacob Snodgrass 

Deck Manager - Smaida Massatt 

The Ruth Page Center for the Arts 

Acting Executive Director – Silvino da Silva 

Ruth Page School of Dance, Director – Victor Alexander 

Director of Finance & Operations – Clintina Taylor 

Ruth Page School of Dance, Associate Director – Dolores Long 

Ruth Page School of Dance, Artistic Associate – Maray Gutierrez 

Project Manager – Suzy Robertson 

Ruth Page School of Dance, Administrator – Anne Laue-Minden 

Media & Technology Coordinator – Kayla McGrath 

Community Engagement Coordinator – Katie Matteson Campana 

Project Coordinator – La Mar Brown

Front Desk Lead – Austin Shirley 

Ruth Page School of Dance, Ballet Instructor & Repertory Coach – Edith Barrágan 

Keystone Dance Academy, Program Coordinator – Elysia C. Banks 

Public Relations – SHOUT! Marketing & Communications 

The Ruth Page Center for the Arts Board of Directors 

Kristin R. Beal 
Dan Conley 
Thea Flaum 
Dori Goldstein Rothschild 
Rosemary Johnson-Dean 
Gloria L. Materre 
Steve Sacks 
Sara S. Schumann, Esq. 
Salme Harju Steinberg, Ph.D. 

In Loving Memory of
William “Bill” Raffeld 

(August 20, 1936 - May 17, 2020) 

Our forever Nutcracker Grandfather 

It is with love and honor that we dedicate this 2021 production of The Nutcracker to our mentor, teacher and loving friend, William F. Raffeld. Bill, as we affectionately called him, passed away May 17, 2020 after a short illness. For nearly 50 years, he played the role of the Grandfather in the ballet. He is credited with creating this unique version with Larry Long and Tom Etlinger, and for directing actors from the University of Illinois at Chicago in this version for almost 20 years. Of all of his many accomplishments as actor, dancer, professor, and director, Bill was most proud of his work and association with the Ruth Page Center.  

He loved performing in the show year after year and looked forward to being onstage with the children, the dancers and his acting students. His curtain speech was one of his favorite parts and was one of the many highlights of the show. Finally, Bill’s love and dedication to the Ruth Page Center and to the ongoing success of the Nutcracker will be sorely missed. But his impact on the company, the ballet and all who performed with him, will continue to be felt for many years to come. 

Renardo Johnson 
Director and Director of Actors, “Ruth Page’s The Nutcracker” 

This year's Nutcracker performances are being dedicated to our colleague and best friend, William (Bill) Raffeld. Bill was loved and respected by all of us that took part in this production.  Anyone who was around Bill was enriched by his knowledge, his talent, and his passion for the arts. Bill was one of the kindest, most generous, patient and thoughtful people I’ve known. He was a humble man that loved life, and people. 

Bill used to say that my husband Larry was a renaissance man, but so was Bill. They shared a love of books and knowledge, and both blessed us with their talents. All of us have been lucky to have known and worked with these caring artists. We are all a part of their legacy. 

Dolores Long 
Associate Director, Ruth Page School of Dance 

Welcome Back, JLC Friends and Patrons!

The James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts opened back in 1997 and now we are celebrating our 25th Anniversary Season! What a wonderful way to celebrate this incredible milestone ... by re-opening our JLC facility and welcoming our community to come celebrate with us!

Continuing our mission to present diverse, high quality, professional entertainment, we want to once again acknowledge and showcase the power and value of the performing arts.

The Spring 2022 season offers some audience favorites from past years in addition to welcoming incredible new performances to the JLC stage. Don't miss this opportunity to once again enjoy live performance close to home.

We have missed you!  Don't miss all the fantastic live arts at CLC!  

Gwethalyn J. Bronner, Executive Director
James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts
College of Lake County

SPRING 2022
Professional Touring Series

 FROM ELVIS TO THE BEATLES FEATURING
THE NEVERLY BROTHERS
Saturday, January 22 • 8 p.m.

A tribute to one of the most exciting chapters in music history, from 1950’s rock n’ roll to the 1964 British Invasion groups. In the electrifying evening, The Neverly Brothers will perform hits from Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, The Beatles and more, infused with infectious energy, rock history and period-perfect wardrobe.

RYAN & RYAN
Wednesday, March 2 • 7:30 p.m.

The dynamic father-son piano duo of Donald and Barron Ryan draws upon classic and contemporary music to create enthralling concert experiences. Their performances showcase not only their virtuosity, but their inventiveness, love of making music and joy of life -- irresistibly engaging entertainment for audiences of all generations.

THE MAGIC OF BILL BLAGG
Saturday, March 19 • 3 p.m.

This action-packed spectacular filled with magic and jaw-dropping illusions will leave you in disbelief! Experience the impossible with incredible magic! Bill Blagg show combines his mind-blowing magical talents along with his trademark off-the-cuff personality to take you on a magical journey you’ll never forget!  

HIPLET BALLERINAS
Sunday, April 24 • 4 p.m.

This spirited performance group, based out of the Chicago Multi-Cultural Dance Center, aims to make ballet accessible to all, fusing the rhythms of African drums with Tchaikovsky, Hip-Hop and even classical en pointe. Showcasing their trademark sass, hip movements and struts set to popular music, Hiplet promises to deliver an eclectic evening of dance.

EILEEN IVERS
Sunday, May 8 • 4 p.m.
Special Mother's Day Show!

Grammy™-winning and Emmy-nominated, Eileen Ivers is hailed as one of the great innovators and pioneers in the Celtic and World music genres, with work so boldly imaginative and virtuosic that it alters the medium. Accompanied by her energetic and impassioned, her performances connect music, cultures, stories and emotions that tie us together.

TICKETS FOR ALL EVENTS

Call: (847) 543-2300 
  Email for Information: clcboxoffice@clcillinois.edu

All performances take place on the JLC Mainstage.

Print-at-home tickets are no longer available.
Box Office Hours: Monday-Friday, Noon to 5 p.m.

Masks are required for everyone at CLC and the JLC.
Performers onstage will be unmasked.
Audience and venue support will remain masked inside
(backstage and front of house).

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THE NUTCRACKER

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College of Lake County
Board of Trustees

Amanda D. Howland, J.D., Chair 
Julie B. Shroka, M.A., Vice Chair 
Torrie Mark Newsome, J.D., Secretary  
Gerri Songer, M.A. 
Matthew J. Stanton, J.D. 
Robert J. Tomei, Jr., J.D. 
Paul G. Virgilio, B.S., S.E., P.E. 
Daniel Blaine, Student Trustee
Lori Suddick, Ed.D., President 

Trustees Emeriti  

Richard A. Anderson, J.D. 
William M. Griffin, Ed.D. 
Patricia Jones, M.Ed. 
Barbara D. Oilschlager, M.Ed.   

Gwethalyn J. Bronner
Executive Director

Kendell McBride
Office Manager

Judie Katz
Marketing and Communications Coordinator

Leslie Baraboo
Marketing and Communications Analyst

Jeremy Eiden
Technical Coordinator

Matt McNabb
Patron Services Coordinator

Peter Hansen
Technical Production Assistant

Jianni Newsome
Box Office Assistant