In 1976, Joanne Arduino danced the role of the Dew Drop Fairy in a free Ballet Theatre of Scranton production of “The Nutcracker.”
It was free because Constance Reynolds, a Scottish immigrant who founded Ballet Theatre of Scranton in 1958, wanted to give a gift to the community that welcomed her.
Arduino, now artistic director, is rehearsing this generation’s dancers to perform the show, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Performances start the day after Thanksgiving.
“It was just a gift of love,” Arduino said. “And so from there, through the years, it has grown tremendously in all aspects.”
Gianna Vachino, in the upcoming performance of “The Nutcracker” by the Ballet Theatre of Scranton. (Courtesy of the Ballet Theatre of Scranton.)
The first Sugarplum and Cavalier, Lori Lynott Freeman and the late Patrick Harrison. (Courtesy of the Ballet Theatre of Scranton)
The late Constance Reynolds, founder of the Ballet Theatre; and Joanne Arduino, the current artistic director, in the 1980s. (Courtesy of Ballet Theatre of Scranton)
Katie Gutekunst, in costume for the upcoming performance of “The Nutcracker” by the Ballet Theatre of Scranton. (Courtesy of the Ballet Theatre of Scranton.)
Joanne Arduino, artistic director of the Ballet Theatre of Scranton, who danced in the first free performance of “The Nutcracker,” coaches the cast of the 50th anniversary production. (MELISSA M. JANOSKI/STAFF PHOTO)
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Gianna Vachino, in the upcoming performance of “The Nutcracker” by the Ballet Theatre of Scranton. (Courtesy of the Ballet Theatre of Scranton.)
She estimates that 5,000 dancers have performed, wearing out 2,400 pairs of toe shoes, performing for 400,000 people, including 35,000 at special performances for students.
Lori Lynott Freeman, the first Sugar Plum Fairy, is flying from California to join other alumni at a gala.
“Fifty years is a massive number,” Freeman said. “That is a lot of time that has passed, and a lot of life that has passed. And I had many years just to be so grateful for Mrs. Reynolds and the training that she gave me, and the opportunities that she gave me.”
Freeman danced professionally and transitioned to teaching. Reynolds once suggested she try Pilates. Freeman now teaches it.
The shows are the weekend after Thanksgiving, Friday through Sunday, at noon and 5:30 p.m. at The Theater at North. There are no reservations. Tickets can be picked up starting two hours before a performance, for that show only. Ticketholders may then leave and return at showtime.
Alumni will gather Saturday at 4:15 p.m., prior to that evening’s performance. The gala follows, at Posh at the Scranton Club. Another gala will be held for children in December.
That first year, 18-year-old Arduino was also the lead Chinese dancer. She performed most of the female roles over the years.
The early production values were “meager,” she said. Ideally, the Christmas tree at the center of the scenery grows at a critical moment. Ballet Theatre started with the “cutest” tabletop tree.
“Mrs. Reynolds would come out on the stage and tell the audience that you had to use your imagination, and when the lights flash, imagine that the tree was growing through the ceiling,” she said. “I have to just smile at that, because she had a real magical way about it, and made you believe in the magic.”
An early newspaper clipping about Ballet Theatre of Scranton’s “Nutcracker.” (Courtesy of Ballet Theatre of Scranton)
Laughing dancers rehearse a past performance. (Courtesy of Ballet Theatre of Scranton)
Scranton Mayor Paige G. Cognetti presented Ballet Theatre with a proclamation celebrating 50 years of free performances. Shown are: front, Mya Harrity, back, from left, Madeleine Mackarey, Cognetti, Ballet Theatre of Scranton artistic director Joanne Arduino; and Annie Reilly. (Courtesy of Chris Hughes)
Joanne Arduino rehearses cast members for “The Nutcracker,” the 50th annual gift to the community by Ballet Theatre of Scranton. Arduino danced in the first free production. (STAFF PHOTO/MELISSA M. JANOSKI)
Dancers will perform the 50th anniversay production of “The Nutracker,” by the Ballet Theatre of Scranton. (Courtesy of the Ballet Theatre of Scranton. )
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An early newspaper clipping about Ballet Theatre of Scranton’s “Nutcracker.” (Courtesy of Ballet Theatre of Scranton)
Later trees were raised by a noisy crank. Today’s tree rises 20 feet on a compressor operated by remote control.
In the early years, volunteers cut scenery out of plastic foam. Dancers gathered in Reynolds’ basement to paint. Reynolds would call them upstairs to take a break and serve Scottish shortbread, with sparkling wine for adults.
Daniel Bruce Kozar also has fond memories of the painting sessions. “It was a fun, fun time and we just danced our hearts out,” he said.
He was a college student at Marywood University, which hosted the first shows. Kozar was an actor, not an experienced dancer. He was recruited to play the host of the Christmas party that opens the show. Later he played the uncle who arrives with the nutcracker figure.
He moved away, eventually became a theater professor and recently returned to Northeast Pennsylvania. Kozar designed some of this year’s costumes. As a volunteer, he meets some children and grandchildren of people he danced with.
“It’s absolutely breathtaking to see, one, that the production is still going on. And two, that they still have the same passion going on stage,” he said.
He’ll be at the gala. “Oh God, yes. It’s a party. I bought a new jacket,” Kozar said.
Ballet Theatre is a nonprofit arts organization that draws casts from the for-profit dance school.
This year’s cast is made up of around 100 dancers, from 9-year-olds through adults.
A pair of siblings, Gianna Vachino and John Roman Vachino, play Clara and the prince.
Dennis Size, a Scranton native and Emmy Award-winning lighting director, oversees the lighting.
In addition to the public performances, Ballet Theatre presents two other gifts: a show for school students and another that is adapted to be sensory friendly.
Ballet Theatre’s website is balletscranton.org. Find additional “Nutcracker” memories at facebook.com/BalletTheatreOfScranton.
If you go
What: Ballet Theatre of Scranton presents “The Nutcracker.” It is the production’s 50th anniversary.
Where: The Theater at North, 1539 N. Main Ave., Scranton
When: Nov. 28-30; shows are at noon and 5:30 p.m.
Details: No reservations. Information at balletscranton.org and facebook.com/BalletTheatreOfScranton.