enthusiastic,” says Neal. “I will consistently ask her to come
back here to teach and perform.”
Delgado’s Cavalier, the handsome Gonzalo Garcia,
performed in Morsani Hall for the Youth American Grand
Prix gala, so some audience members may recognize him
from that performance. “He’s a perfect match to Patricia.
Gallant, good-looking, a mix of west coast and east coast
ballet styles from his work with San Francisco Ballet and
New York City Ballet. It’s very exciting to bring this level of
talent to The Straz.”
What elevates NGB’s Nutcracker above the slew of
Nutcrackers staged for the holiday season is not only
this level of dance talent but the appearance of George
Balanchine’s extraordinary, challenging grand pas de deux on
these dancers. “As a repetiteur of the Balanchine Trust, I’m
licensed to show his choreography,” says Neal.
“So, if you were to go to Lincoln Center on a
Saturday night to see Nutcracker, you’d see the
same pas de deux onstage here. It’s a big deal.”
One behind-the-scenes benefi t for the NGB preprofessional
dancers performing in Nutcracker with these
superstars is the exposure our Patel Conservatory students
get to industry professionals. “Sara, Amar, Patricia, Gonzalo
… they’re going to be investing in this Nutcracker with
our NGB students. It’s really important to have gracious
people here to be involved with the students and set a
good example for them. It’s amazing to see how much our
students’ dancing improves by working with these guest
artists. Do you know what it’s like for a young dancer to be
in the wings with someone like Sara Mearns? To be hugged
by her before they take the stage? It’s huge. It’s a defi ning
moment for a young dancer.”
To see these ballet superstars’ diff ering interpretations of
Balanchine’s legendary choreography, your best bet is to see
each set of partners, according to Neal. Remember that
groups of 10 or more can receive a group discount, so if you
have family, friends or dancers in your life, get together and
see NGB’s Nutcracker for less than the single ticket price. For
assistance booking your group, call our Group Sales offi ce at
813.222.1016 or 1047 or email groups@strazcenter.org.
SARA MEARNS
PATRICIA
DELGADO
Photo by Erin Baiano
AMAR RAMASAR
Photo by Paul Kolnik
Photo by Erin Baiano
GONZALO GARCIA