Asaph Ensemble’s Dec. 7 Christmas performance meant to inspire

Asaph Dance Ensemble,, a professional ballet company, will ring in the holidays with a performance that is meant to do more than just leave the audience with a warm, fuzzy” feeling. Their performance of Clara’s Christmas is meant to “inspire,” according to Robin Sturm, artistic director.

Clara’s Christmas is based on The Nutcracker, using the music that is danced to in Tchaikovsky’s timeless classic, but the choreography is original, blocked by Sturm and her husband, Robert, co-director.

Clara’s Christmas follows Clara as she discovers the “joy and hope of Christmas.”

Of course, the tale begins with a party and includes the raucous Rat King and his comrades and incredibly choreographed fight between the Rat King and the Nutcracker with choreography that is sure to have the audience gasping.

Following Clara’s Christmas on the program the Hylton Performing Arts Center’s acoustics in Merchant hall will ring with the Hallelujah chorus in an originally choreographed version of Handel’s The Messiah. The music, itself, will leave the audience inspired to celebrate the holidays.

Approximately, 50-60 dancers will perform on t Merchant Hall stage with Asaph Dance Ensemble. Sturm says the music is so beautiful that the possibilities are endless. All of Asaphs’ choreography is originally created by Sturm or Robert. Sturm says she listens to the music and reads through the composers notes and is encouraged and inspired by them as she choreographs.

Sturm says art is her language and she wants the holiday performance to inspire others as they leave.

Sarah Jackson, 12, a homeschool student from Manassas, is dancing the role of Clara for the first time. She says it is “a lot of fun” and hard work. The role of Clara includes a lot of acting and facial expressions.

Though she has danced other roles, she says this has been the most challenging. She encourages people to come see the performance as it teaches what the season is all about-as their flyer announces “discovering the joy and happiness of the season.”

Taurie Mitchell, a junior at Osbourn High School, is dancing the role of the Holy Spirit, in other Nutcracker productions this is the role of the Sugar Plum Faerie. Mitchell says that she was very surprised to receive the role and says that it is an honor. She says the production is very “uplifting” and “touching.”

Dancing alongside her is her step-father J. J. Brown of Manassas. He dances the role of Drosselmeyer. He started taking adult classes and partnering classes when he was asked to help out in the partnering class.

He has been dancing for 1-1/2 years and previously appeared in Clara’s Christmas as a party person and in Asaph’s spring performance, Esther.

Both Mitchell and Brown agree that it is interesting dancing onstage together-especially when her character represents good and his, evil. Their ensuing dance against one another has great chemistry.

John Ritter, 10, a homeschooled student from Gainesville, is dancing the fun role of the trouble-making Fritz. He says he has a lot of fun and enjoys his role. He admits he truly enjoys the battle scenes.

Tori Masters, 6, of Manassas, is dancing Clara’s little sister. She says she danced the role last hear and “loves it.” She has hopes of dancing the role of Clara.

Daniel Foudree, 21, of Centreville, has danced with Asaph since he was 7. He has danced many roles in his career with Asaph, but is dancing the role of the Nutcracker who gets tossed around by a strong cast of male dancers including John Ikpo, of Gainesville, who dances the Rat King.

Ikpo has danced for two years and this is his third performance. A former football player, now a college student,  who suffered a hip injury, he says he dances because he “love[s] it.” Francis Crawfod, 19, agrees that he also love[s] it. Crawford is a former homeschool student who is now majoring in Civil Engineering. Both Ikpo and Crawford appeared in Esther.

Sturm invites all to bring the entire family to begin the holidays and feel inspired by the story of Clara’s Christmas and uplifted by the music and choreography in The Messiah, one of “the worlds’ most beautiful and exhilarating pieces of music.”

Performances will be held on December 7 at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for children 12 and under, senior citizens and active military with an ID and can be purchased at http://www.hyltoncenter.org/calendar/562/ .

The Hytlon Performing Arts Center is located at 10960 George Mason Circle in Manassas on the George Mason University Campus. For more information on Asaph Dance Ensemble, see http://www.asaphdance.org or call 703-330-5227.