Pocono News Section

Behind-the-Scenes at the Nutcracker in Scranton

Behind-the-Scenes at the Nutcracker in Scranton - Friday, December 11, 2009 at 5:25PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Friday, Dec 11, 2009 @ 05:25pm EST
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY - A popular holiday show in Lackawanna County is continuing for the 23rd year. On Friday morning, Eyewitness News got a rare behind-the-scenes look at the Nutcracker performance. It is put on every year by the Scranton Civic Ballet Company.

From make-up to costume changes everything is done in a hurry.

"It's a lot of fun, you know? We all work really hard and it's nice to have a big show in the end. It really pays off," Lara Sorokanich of Clarks Summit said.

Rehearsals for the Nutcracker started in September. The 100 performers have been working, on average, eight hours a week.

"Hours and hours of practice. You sweat all the time. It's freezing cold and you're still sweating because you're working so hard," Tori Sluko of Jessup said.

One thing most people question about is how dancers stand on their toes. We posed that question to Jackie Dende. When asked if it hurts she said, "Not really, but," Dende said. "Yeah, you get used to it a lot."

For many of the performers, they become a second family and they can't wait to finally hit the stage.

"My favorite part is when you look in the audience and you see somebody smiling and it's just like I worked hard and it's really paying off," Michelle Wadika of Scranton said.

The first Nutcracker performance went off without a hitch Friday morning. Hundreds of school students from across Lackawanna County came out for the show. More shows will take place throughout the weekend. Tickets are still available.

"You don't have to be a dancer to enjoy this show. You don't have to be in theater or anything," Sorokanich said.

People who come out for the Nutcracker shows are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items. All of the food will be donated to local food pantries in the Scranton-area.

The next Nutcracker performances are scheduled for 7:30 PM Friday night at 2:00 PM on Sunday afternoon.