WIDT | “The Nutcracker” at WICA

Whidbey Island Dance Theatre is Back on Stage with “The Nutcracker” at WICA

Among the whirlwind of the holiday season, there is that undeniably lovely and tempestuous affair fluffed with snow and tulle and cute children in creature costumes that few can resist. That is “The Nutcracker,” of course, and Whidbey Island Dance Theatre (WIDT) is back on stage with the ballet. 

When Russian choreographer Marius Petipa collaborated with composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky to create “The Nutcracker” ballet in 1892, the famous team was most likely oblivious to the global tradition the piece would become through the next 125 years and beyond. Countless productions of the holiday ballet abound all over the world, but nothing makes the heart sing more than seeing one’s own community bring this holiday winter dream to life on stage. 

After being only able to perform via livestream last year due to the pandemic, WIDT is particularly excited to present its 29th season of “The Nutcracker” live and onstage at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts in Langley. Tickets are on sale now for the show which opens Friday, Dec. 10 and runs through Sunday, Dec. 19. 

WIDT alums, Brittany Falso and Elliauna McLean, have taken on the leadership roles of artistic directors at WIDT and are over-the-moon to be back on stage with this dedicated company of dancers and community members. 

"We are so excited to bring back live performances this year,” says McLean. “To see that curtain open for the first time on opening night is going to feel surreal." 

The ballet dramatizes the tale of Clara’s enchanted Christmas Eve, when her mysterious godfather’s magic leads to a dream of unexplainable and wonderful events through the night. Clara journeys to lands where snowflakes and flowers dance; where fairies, mermaids, and even a dragon perform; where a fierce and terrible battle is fought; and where a handsome prince comes to the rescue. 

Here is a company that is skilled enough to turn out a professional-caliber performance every year, much to the delight of its enthusiastic island audiences. The company manages to combine the traditional and the deliciously daring in a production in which more than 100 characters come to life. As always, WIDT’s production is full of color and fun, newcomers and familiar faces, and new twists in choreography, along with the artistry of several professional guest dancers and the charming collective of an all-ages cast. 

"Seeing how dedicated these dancers are in all of their rehearsals makes the lead-up to this year’s show all the more enjoyable," McLean added. 

Principal company dancer Kendall Marshall takes the role of Clara, supported by community member Lars Larson returning in the role of Godfather Drosselmeyer. Professional guest artist Robbi Moore dances the role of the illustrious Forest King and performs the Grand Pas de Deux with the Faerie Queen played by Chyler White, another guest artist to join the show. 

“Every year, newcomers marvel at how joyous and spectacular our local production is,” says Whidbey Island Dance Company founder Charlene Brown, who began bringing this holiday event to islanders back in 1992. 

Brown helps choreograph the show along with other longtime WIDT collaborators including, both Falso and McLean, Megan LeMay, Katelyn Lodell, Leah Marshall, Robbi Moore, Jamee Pitts, Taylor Pitts, Chyler White and Graham Vanderwood. 

Even amid the pandemic, this ensemble of dancers, buoyed by their directors, choreographers and parents, has come together, even while breathing through masks as they dance, to make this show happen again. It is their holiday gift to their community and has all the festive earmarks of what the holiday season is at its best: bringing joy to others. Come and see them dance! 

“The Nutcracker” plays at 7 p.m. on Dec. 10, 17, 18 and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 11, 12 and 19. 

Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for youths/seniors/military and are available online at wicaonline.org. 

Covid-19 Safety Precautions in Place for “The Nutcracker”: 50% audience capacity/adults proof of vax or Covid test required + mask/under 18 mask required. 

The story of Bronkar and his Circus of Sound

by Betty Freeman

What do you do if you’re a hyperactive kid who can’t sit still?

When Bronkar Lee was in 8th grade in Athens, Georgia, his teacher Mrs. Kurtz described him to his mom as a typical ADHD kid.

“She said I could be inducted into the ADHD Hall of Fame; I had so much energy,” said Lee. “Luckily I also had supportive parents who were tolerant enough to let me find a way to channel it.”

All photos courtesy of Bronkar.com

Bronkar, who prefers to use just his first name professionally, channeled his excessive energy into a career as an internationally acclaimed beatboxing juggler who shares his inspirational journey from hyperactive kid to successful entertainer/entrepreneur with audiences of all ages. He’ll perform at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 25 as part of Whidbey Island Center for the Arts' ongoing Family Series.

Bronkar, now 34, believes that having ADHD is actually a gift.

“ADHD is not a negative thing unless you don’t understand what you have and how to find a passion where you can use your excess energy,” said Bronkar.

Bronkar is grateful for his supportive family and adult mentors who he said “gave me stories and guidance, and were really very tolerant when I was learning to play the drums.”

Playing drums did channel some of his energy. As a teen and young adult, he worked as a full-time musician and gradually developed a one-man show which he described a “bonus feature that opened for other performers.”

“But one night the headliner was a no-show and I had to improvise so I went onstage and riffed doing vocal percussion with the audience. They loved it, and my new career took off,” said Bronkar.

It was then he invented “Bronkar’s Self-Expression Workshop” for schools. He began to tour as “part entertainer and part motivational speaker.”

In his stage show, Bronkar uses his voice as an instrument. Beatboxing is actually vocal percussion or mouth drumming, he said. He combines vocal percussion with juggling, using his whole body as an instrument.

And in spite of having ADHD, he learned to create structure and discipline around his passion.

“When I started juggling in my early 20s, I learned from a high level juggler. Now I can keep nine balls going at once,” he said.

Bronkar also found structure for his craft with sessions at the San Francisco Clown Conservatory.

“I knew I wanted to perform, and to merge drumming, beatboxing and juggling into my performances, but clown school helped me integrate them all into one act,” said Bronkar.

“I want kids to know you don’t have to have money to make music,” said Bronkar. “Kids can learn to do what I do with patience, practice and persistence.”

That’s the message he imparts when he entertains school groups, such as the Langley Middle School kids he’ll perform for on April 25. He promises his evening show at WICA that night will continue that upbeat message for the whole family.

“My show is very interactive and every show is different because every audience is different. I love being in the group energy, facilitating and creating in the moment,” said Bronkar.

He said the fulfilling part is how his act affects the people he meets, and by extension, the world.

“It’s a gift to me to see people light up and go out and create for themselves,” said Bronkar.

“I’m doing what I love doing and making a living at it too,” said Bronkar. “Who would have thought that kid who couldn’t sit still could end up like me, being paid to be hyper?”

Tickets for Bronkar Lee’s Circus of Sound Family Series performance at 7:30 p.m. at WICA on April 25 can be purchased online here, by phone at 360-221-8268 or at the box office open Wednesday through Saturday from 1 to 6 p.m. and two hours before every show at 565 Camano Avenue in Langley, WA.

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Betty Freeman is an award-winning writer and editor who frequently writes about the arts for Whidbey Island publications. She lives in Clinton with her husband Dan, a sculptor.