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The Nutcracker, Texas Tenors, and More for December IAS

Ring in the holidays with the arts! This month’s Iowa Arts Showcase features:

  •  Robert Thomas, Janice Baker, and Ellen Mullen celebrating Iowa State Center’s 35th anniversary performance of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker ballet, as they look back at their first production
  •  Guest stage director for the Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre – James Marvel providing a glimpse into Verdi’s masterpiece La Traviata, coming to the Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids this January
  •  Iowa’s own John Hagen filling us in on the Des Moines Symphony’s dazzling New Year’s Eve performance starring the Texas Tenors
  • Director Matthew Coley sharing details about the Heartland Marimba Festival Ensemble’s Holiday Spectacular Winter Concert Tour

  • Bill Shepherd pulling out all the holiday stops for his upcoming Big Band Christmas Concert at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center

For over 30 years the Iowa State Center in Ames has marked the holidays with Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. On December 12th and 13th the Center celebrates its 35th Nutcracker Anniversary. The Nutcracker’s co-artistic director along with Act One and Russian choreographer, Robert Thomas; ISU’s Assistant Professor of Dance and Nutcracker Act 1 to Snow staging, Janice Baker; and ISU’s Senior Lecturer of Management in the College of Business, along with being the Nutcracker’s Ballet Mistress & Cast Coordinator, Ellen Mullen, will reflect and share details about ISU’s upcoming production of one of Tchaikovsky’s most popular and beloved ballets.

The Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre’s guest stage director– James Marvel provides an overview of the CROT’s January 15th and 17th productions of Verdi’s La Traviata at the Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids. This Italian opera classic tells a tragic tale of a beautiful courtesan, Violetta, and her one true love, Alfredo.

The Des Moines Symphony celebrates New Year’s Eve at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines with a guest appearance by the Texas Tenors. Iowa’s own John Hagen fills us in on how the Texas Tenors’ appearance on NBC’s smash hit program America’s Got Talent changed their lives.

Director Matthew Coley shares details about the Heartland Marimba Festival Ensemble’s Holiday Spectacular Winter Concert Tour. Marimba artists Christine Augspurger, Andrew Veit and Wannapha Yannuvut will join Coley to present holiday favorites.

And educator, trombonist, author and big band leader Bill Shepherd reveals details about his Big Band Christmas Concert featuring local professional musicians along with guest vocalist Nola Rose. This festive performance will take place on December 19th at UNI’s Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center.

isunutcrackerhowtoproduceanutcracker.mp3
ISU Nutcracker - How To Produce a Nutcracker

isunutcrackerchoreography.mp3
ISU Nutcracker - Choreography

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ISU Nutcracker - Contingency Plans

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ISU Nutcracker - The Dance Career of Janice Baker

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ISU Nutcracker - Robert Thomas Joffrey Offer
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ISU Nutcracker - Nutcracker Show Transformational

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ISU Nutcracker - 6-8 year olds and professional environment

isunutcrackermullenergybusyfun.mp3
Energy - Busy - Fun

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ISU Nutcracker - Nutcracker variations and keep your focus

isunutcrackerbattlescenes.mp3
ISU Nutcracker - Battle scenes

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ISU Nutcracker - role in Central Iowa - something for everyone

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ISU Nutcracker - Changed or developed over 35 years

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CROT: James Marvel - Stage the show

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CROT: James Marvel - character development

jamesmarvellightingandperformers.mp3
CROT: James Marvel - lighting and performers

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CROT: James Marvel - crux of drama

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CROT: James Marvel - Act 2

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CROT: James Marvel - Act 3

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CROT: James Marvel - waltz rhythm

jamesmarvelwhattodowiththisproduction.mp3
CROT: James Marvel - what to do with this production

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James Marvel - Intro 2

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John Hagen - Lighting

johnhagencareeraspirations.mp3
John Hagen - Career aspirations

johnhagencomradery.mp3
John Hagen - Texas Tenor comradery

johnhagenhelpingotherslessfortunate.mp3
John Hagen - Helping others less fortunate

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John Hagen - Musical arrangements

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John Hagen - Schooling - Marcus & JC

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Bill Shepherd - background & band career

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Bill Shepherd - background & career of Nola Shepherd

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Bill Shepherd - Big Band Christmas direct result of Creme de la Creme

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Matthew Coley - Holiday Spectacular Winter Concert Tour 2015

matthewcoley2016summertour.mp3
Matthew Coley - Mission & 2016 Summer Tour

Jacqueline Halbloom is a Sr. Music Producer and Classical Music Host