Tickets to the Nutcracker: Contest Closed

Valley Dance Theatre and Patch would like to give away two tickets to closing night, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m.!

Here’s how to enter:

• Leave a comment below about your favorite holiday tradition!
• Like Valley Dance Theatre on Facebook and leave another comment on the Facebook page confirming you’ve done so (i.e. "just entered the Patch contest!")

These are all separate entries. That’s up to two entries per person!  We’ll use random.org to pick a winner. Please leave all comments by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14! Thanks, and we look forward to seeing you at a performance!

Here's more information on Valley Dance Theatre and the Nutcracker performance:

Valley Dance Theatre www.valleydancetheatre.com, the Tri-Valley’s dance company, is presenting its annual production of The Nutcracker at the in downtown Livermore. The 2011 production marks the beginning of the company’s fourth decade performing the full-length Tchaikovsky classic.

Eight performances will take place with evening shows on Dec. 10, 16, 17 and 18 at 7 p.m. and matinees on Dec. 10, 11, 17, and 18 at 2 p.m. The production features professionally designed costumes, sets and scenery and, in keeping with tradition, is accompanied by the Livermore-Amador Symphony pit orchestra.

This year’s pre-show festivities include carols by Cantabella Children’s Chorus on Dec. 11 and 17 at 2 p.m. and Dec. 16 and 17 at 7 p.m., and by Harmony Fusion on Dec. 10 at 2 and 7 p.m. and December 18 at 2 and 7 p.m. will be ringing in the theater lobby Dec. 16, 17 and 18.

One of Valley Dance Theatre’s promising young male dancers who is performing in this year’s The Nutcracker is Ted Newman. A 19-year-old Pleasanton resident and computer programming major at , Newman has been with the company for about a year and dances the role of Cavalier.

“I have a musical background and play several instruments, but opted to try out for color guard rather than play drums in the marching band at Amador Valley High School,” Newman says. “Color guard is influenced greatly by dance and my positive experience with it my senior year led to dance lessons and then to participating on competitive dance teams. One of those, a jazz team, required ballet classes and I found I really liked them. Last year, a friend told me about auditions for male roles in The Nutcracker and here I am.”

Newman is inspired by famous male dancers from Baryshnikov to Fred Astaire to Phillip “Pacman” Chbeeb. Though he does not follow television programs like “Dancing with the Stars” or “Glee” very closely, he recognizes that the shows make him feel more secure as a dancer. “As more and more males are dancing on those shows, it’s becoming more acceptable to be a dancer of any sort,” he observed.

According to Newman, studying ballet has made him stronger and more physically fit, but that is not the primary benefit.  “Since I started dancing, I’ve been able to concentrate more on school and work and I’ve been more relaxed at home,” he says. “I’ve also developed a new circle of friends full of wonderful people.

“Valley Dance Theatre is a fantastic studio to dance with,” Newman concludes.  “The teachers are great and the dancers are very motivated and talented.  I feel as though I’m constantly learning and improving.”

Tickets to The Nutcracker are $33, $27 and $24 for adults and $18 for students 17 years and younger. They may be purchased online at www.bankheadtheater.org or by phone at 925-373-6800. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the theater box office, 2400 First St., Livermore, Tuesday-Saturday, 12 to 6 p.m., and for two hours prior to show time.

For more information on the Valley Dance Theatre visit www.valleydancetheatre.com.