Gwyneth Moon as the Ballerina Doll in last year’s “Nutcracker.”
The Fairfax Ballet Co. will kick off the beauty and magic of the holiday season with its full-length production of “The Nutcracker.” It’s set for Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 29-30, at 4 p.m., at Fairfax High, 3501 Lion Run in Fairfax City.
This year, the Fairfax Ballet Co. is debuting a brand-new holiday tree that will magically grow as Clara is transported to a fantasy world of sweets with her Nutcracker prince. Tickets are available at the door or via https://www.etix.com/ticket/o/15726/fairfaxballet.
Alyssa Manguiat of Ballet Austin and Solomon Hunter of Ballet Tucson will lead a cast of 50 dancers including Fairfax Ballet Company members and Russell School of Ballet students. Manguiat dances the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy, and Hunter performs as the Cavalier.
The show also features Chantilly High junior and Fairfax Ballet Company member Gwyneth Moon as Clara. Dancing since age 3, she began training at the Russell School of Ballet and joined the Fairfax Ballet in 2021. As a member of its company, Moon has performed in various productions, including “The Nutcracker,” “Sleeping Beauty” and “Carnival of the Animals.”
This summer, she attended Cincinnati Ballet’s summer intensive program. In March, Moon performed a variation from “Coppelia” at Youth American Grand Prix in Winston-Salem, N.C. She’s looking forward to participating in it again and dancing in the annual spring ballet and jazz, tap and modern-dance showcase.
Jordan Nelson, principal artist with Canyon Concert Ballet in Fort Collins, Colo., is both the Nutcracker Prince and Soldier Doll. Philip Smith-Cobbs dances the roles of Mouse King and Coffee. A former dancer with Atlanta Ballet, he’s a current faculty member of the Russell School of Ballet and is part of FBC’s artistic team.
* The Fairfax Ballet Company will also be performing “The Nutcracker” with the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra, Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 20-21, at 4 p.m. at the George Mason Center for the Arts in Fairfax.
Fairfax Ballet Company is a nonprofit based at the Russell School of Ballet in Chantilly. Notable alumni have gone on to perform with the New York City Ballet, the Radio City Rockettes and on Broadway.