The Chrysler Foundation and the Michigan Ballet Theatre Brings Holiday Magic to Local Community

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 30 -- The Chrysler Foundation and the Michigan Ballet Theatre (MBT) will bring the holiday magic of The Nutcracker to a local community this season. The Nutcracker Christmas classic will be held on December 8 - 9, 2007 at the Avondale High School Performing Arts Center in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The Chrysler Foundation will sponsor the MBT as a part of its commitment to support community growth and enrichment, education, arts and culture.

"Chrysler has a tradition of making a difference in the communities in which we do business," said Brian Glowiak, Vice President of The Chrysler Foundation. "As a significant member of the community, Chrysler is pleased that it can support the growth of art and entertainment programs that further enrich our communities."

The Michigan Ballet Theatre will also sponsor The Nutcracker holiday float at the Rochester Homeland Christmas parade, Sunday, December 2 on Main Street at 2:00 p.m. The float features MBT dancers; Stephanie Iacobelli (Sugar Plum Fairy), Megan White (Clara), Andrew Kaczmarek (Nutcracker), Cornelia Sampson (Mother) and Michael Anderson (Drosselmeyer).

The MBT, along with guest artists from the internationally acclaimed American Ballet Theatre from New York City will perform The Nutcracker story by recreating the Christmas Eve dream of a young girl named Clara, played by Caitlan Nordstrom of Commerce, Mich. and Megan White of Clarkston, Mich., and her vivid fantasies of a Nutcracker Prince, an evil Mouse King, and a Sugar Plum Fairy and her magical Kingdom of Sweets. The Arabian Princess and Snow Queen will be performed by Stephanie Iacobelli of Rochester Hills, Mich. Featured as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier are Elizabeth Mertz and Eric Tamm, dancers with the American Ballet Theatre.

MBT's Nutcracker glistens under the direction of artistic directors Cornelia Sampson and newly appointed Michael Anderson. With choreography by Sampson, she takes her vision to new heights in this annual performance. The production comes complete with an elegant Christmas party, the mysterious magical guest Herr Drosselmeyer, and the drama of Clara's brave rescue of the Nutcracker Prince as he duels and defeats the evil Mouse King. The story then unfolds with an invitation to a far away fantasy in the Kingdom of Sweets, with Spanish dancers depicting the richest chocolate, Arabian dancers symbolizing exotic coffee, tangy tea from China represented by a charming silk-garbed oriental trio, and Waltzing Flowers that culminate with visions of Sugar Plum and her Cavalier.

This beautiful holiday extravaganza is full of surprises and special effects, including a sky-scraping Christmas tree, swirling snow, dangling sweets, and a towering Mother Ginger complete with twelve helpers tucked under her skirt. These effects are teamed with captivating costumes and flawless presentation that promise to dazzle and delight your senses and offer you all the magic of the holiday season.

Michigan Ballet Theatre was founded in 1985 by Cornelia Sampson, who also founded the Rochester School of Dance and Cornelia's School of Dance. The Rochester School of Dance recently received four recognitions in the prestigious Youth American Grand Prix Competition in Chicago, Illinois. The school garnered first place for classical ensemble, third place for Junior Classical Solo and Titles of "Outstanding School" and "Outstanding Choreographer" awarded to Sampson during the competition featuring over 40 local and out-of-state organizations. Sampson served on the arts council of Oakland Community College and the dance faculty at Oakland University as well as the Flint Institute of Music and Dance. She started MBT to give her students and other local dancers an opportunity to perform professionally.

Recently, MBT announced Michael Anderson, a Joffrey Ballet veteran, Wayne State University (WSU) graduate and former alumnus, as the company's new associate director. Prior to his 15-year tenure with the Joffrey Ballet, Anderson studied at the Rochester School of Dance from 1989-1992 under the direction of Sampson. At the same time, Anderson was earning his masters degree in Arts Administration at WSU. The Salt Lake City native also has a B.A. in Dance from Southern Utah University.

MBT will offer four performances of The Nutcracker at the Avondale High School Performing Arts Center, 2800 Waukegan, Auburn Hills, Michigan, on Saturday, December 8 at 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 9 at 1:00 and 6:00 p.m. Tickets prices are $16 for adults, $14 for children and seniors, and $12 for groups of 20 or more. Tickets are available through the Rochester School of Dance, 1800 South Livernois, Rochester, MI 48307. To order by mail or for more information regarding performances, please call 248-652-3117.

Now in its 54th year, The Chrysler Foundation is the primary source of charitable grants made by Chrysler. The Foundation annually supports hundreds of charitable organizations with an emphasis on community growth and enrichment, education, arts and culture, public policy, youth development and disaster relief programs throughout the United States and, increasingly, the world. The Foundation's Good Neighbor, Good Citizen(R) programs make a positive, lasting investment in local communities where our employees, customers and neighbors live.