- May 2, 2024
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The St. Augustine Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker” not only incorporates a cast of over 70 dancers from St. Johns and Flagler counties, but will also be a reunion for four professional dancers and former classmates of St. Augustine Ballet Artistic Director Luis Abella.
The five Cuba natives became friends when they studied ballet together at the National Ballet School of Cuba in Havana, and this will be the first time they have performed on the same stage since leaving Cuba to pursue their careers around the world.
“It means a lot to me to have them here,” Abele said before the Monday evening rehearsal, as two racks overflowing with costumes sped by on the way to dressing rooms.
“The Nutcracker” is a Christmas story, and Abella said the opportunity to have his friends in Florida and to dance in his production is like bringing his family back together. The Cuban ballet school was a boarding school, and his fellow dancers became a second family to him.
Guest dancers
Arionel Vargas, a principal dancer with the English National Ballet since 2004, will return to reprise his role as the Cavalier. Vargas will be partnering with his sister, Margit Vargas Rodrigues, when she dances the part of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Her husband, Daet Rodriguez will be dancing the role of The Prince. Daet and Margit Rodriguez own and operate the ballet academy, Cuballet Ecuador, and are former dancers with the Ballet of Camaguey in Cuba and Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet.
Returning for his third year in the role of the mysterious Drosselmeyer is Orlando Molina. Molina has danced with Ballet Municipal of Lima in Peru, Orlando Ballet and recently accepted the position of School Principal with Georgia Ballet in Atlanta.
Abella is thrilled to be the catalyst for the reunion.
“I can’t wait to introduce my former classmates to our St. Augustine audience,” Abella said. “I never imagined we’d be able to perform together again.”
Abella’s career has also taken him around the world. He is a former dancer with Bellas Artes Nacional of Mexico, the Minnesota Ballet and the University of Miami Ballet. When he is not performing his duties as Artistic Director for St. Augustine Ballet, he owns and operates Abella’s School of Dance.
The ballet company
This is the sixth year that the St. Augustine Ballet has produced “The Nutcracker,” each year trying to change different elements of the show to keep it fresh, but still hold true to the classic ballet. One of the things that makes this show unique is a tap dance added to the Mother Ginger scene.
Abella said that the high level and consistency of training the dancers receive bring more quality to the stage.
It’s training at a pre-professional level,” he said. “And respect and dedication for the ballet itself.”
Last year, the St. Augustine Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” drew in 2,500 people for four shows, and Joy D’Elia said she hopes to do the same this year.
“It’s not just parents in the audience,” she said. “People trust us now that it’s a show worthy of inviting people to.”
IF YOU GO:
What: “The Nutcracker,” presented by the St. Augustine Ballet
Where: Lewis Auditorium, 4 Granada St., St. Augustine
When: 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20 and Sunday, Dec. 21
Tickets: $25 to $30, with $5 off for 65 and older or 12 and under; saintaugustineballet.com or 855-222-2849.
