Dance Factory Ridgefield and Savatara Corporation Present
The Nutcracker
Saturday December 9, 2023
6:30pm
Live from
The Klein Memorial Auditorium in Bridgeport, CT
All proceeds benefit the Susan Vallo Memorial Dance Scholarship Program
Executive Artistic Director:
Kristin Leggio Sedita
Original Choreography & Coaching:
Brianna Gitnik
Peter Nevin
Kristin Leggio Sedita
Karlie Lynn Zabin
Composer
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Digital Backdrop Video Production:
Kristin Leggio Sedita
Production Crew:
Dawn Teczar - Tutu Steamer Extraordinaire a
Dennis Sedita - The incredible man behind the magic (and behind the Director)
Backstage Manager & Social Media Guru
Brianna Gitnik
Backstage Goddesses:
Arianna Danzig
Maggie Haber
Karlie Lynn Zabin
The Divine Klein Team
Head Carpenter/The All Knowing:
Alex Dunn
Lighting Technician/Genius:
Everett Rende
Sound Technician/Magician:
Tom Ivan
She who makes all things happen:
Jeanette Zygmunt
The best Facility Manager on the planet, and our dear friend:
Fred Sailer
Executive Director and beloved champion of the Arts:
Laurence Caso
Thank you all for sharing your beautiful home with us, and for putting your heart and soul into our productions year after year.
The Cast
In order of appearance
Domestic Goddesses
Skyler Mendez, Katie Swiatowicz
Jeeves
The Exquisite Mr. Peter Nevin
The Fabulous Ms. Stahlbaum
Brianna Gitnik
Clara Stahlbaum
Mila Polak
Louise Stahlbaum
Reese Beardslee
Clara’s Best Friends
Kelly Gallagher, Brynn McCarthy
Louise's Best Friend
Olivia Geluso
Party Guests
Nicole Riordan
Ana Bazan, Lucy Gimigliano, Ava Maucieri, Skylar Smith
Godfather Drosselmeyer
Dennis Sedita
Columbine Doll
Eleanor Jones
Harlequin Doll
Shannon Rush
Soldier Doll
Mia Gimigliano
Ninja Mice
Ashley Armstrong, Emma Beardslee, Eden Hulme, Misha Polak, Maya Spivak, Bridget White
Mouse Queen's Lieutenants
Olivia Flavin, Paige Gallagher, Eleanor Jones, Naima Millar, Shannon Rush
Soldiers
Una Bellotti, Brooke Carretta, Kelly Gallagher, Brynn McCarthy, Naima Millar, Alexa Rubinfeld,
Julia Verses, Ella Vick
Nutcracker Prince/ Cavalier
Rex Bonita
Mouse Queen
Ava Kirsch
Snow Queen
Willow Bradford
Snow Princesses
Mia Gimigliano, Bella Schwartz
Enchanted Snow Flakes
Rex Bonita, Willow Bradford, Olivia Flavin, Paige Gallagher, Natalie Gilbert,
Ava Kirsch, Kayla Scatterday
Virtues
Una Bellotti, Alexa Rubinfeld
Archangels
Ana Bazan, Reese Beardslee, Olivia Geluso, Lucy Gimigliano, Ava Maucieri, Skylar Smith
Guardian Angels
Cordelia Burkavage, Siena Campbell, Emily Cook Ibero, Willa Norberg, Stella Riordan,
Augustina Ross, Austin Spivak
Sugarplum Fairy
Natalie Gilbert
Marzipan
Willow Bradford, Mia Gimigliano, Bella Schwartz
Spanish Princess
Ava Kirsch
Spanish Chocolate
Una Bellotti, Brooke Carretta, Kelly Gallagher, Brynn McCarthy, Naima Millar, Alexa Rubinfeld,
Julia Verses, Ella Vick
Russian Trepak
Olivia Flavin, Kayla Scatterday
Chinese Princesses
Brook Carretta, Ella VIck
Chinese Tea
Ashley Armstrong, Emma Beardslee, Eden Hulme, Misha Polak, Maya Spivak, Bridget White
Arabian Princess
Rex Bonita
Arabian Coffee
Willow Bradford, Olivia Flavin, Paige Gallagher, Natalie Gilbert, Mia Gimigliano,
Ava Kirsch, Kayla Scatterday, Bella Schwartz
Polychannelles
Ana Bazan, Reese Beardslee, Olivia Geluso, Lucy Gimigliano, Ava Maucieri, Skylar Smith
Dew Drop Fairy
Kayla Scatterday
Flower Princesses
Paige Gallagher, Bella Schwartz
Enchanted Flowers
Eleanor Jones, Skyler Mendez, Katie Swiatowicz, Shannon Rush
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A Note From the Director:
I am so very grateful to everyone who helped to bring our 2023 Nutcracker to the stage, and for the amazing DFR Dance Parents who juggle schedules and move mountains to ensure their dancers make it to their many ballet classes and rehearsals.
Thank you all from the bottom of my very full heart.
We are beyond overjoyed to have our beloved Miss Brianna back for this year's Nutcracker!
Please join me in celebrating her incredible journey overcoming GBS, and her triumphant return to
the DFR Family. WE LOVE YOU BRI !!!
The perseverance and dedication of this group of dancers and instructors, is unparalleled. As is the support and encouragement we have received from our dance family. There are simply no words to express my gratitude or my love for the incredible DFR community that we have all created together.
To all witnessing this remarkable accomplishment, I hope that you enjoy the performance, and experience the joy that these beautiful dancers hold in their hearts for our divine, beloved art form.
May the love, beauty, magic, and celebration of global community that dance, and this time honored ballet, truly stand for, ignite your holiday season!
Thank you to everyone watching at home and in the theater audience for supporting the Susan Vallo Memorial Dance Scholarship Program. Your contribution will help to proliferate the dream, and honor my Mother's memory in the most personal way possible.
To all of my lovelies - MERDE !!!!
With infinite love and gratitude,
Kristin