Vol. 14, #25 SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS THEY MAKE THE LOOP POSSIBLE December 7, 2017 An Evening with The Nutcracker Returns to Stephen Tobolowsky Vashon Center for the Arts Vashon Center for the Arts is proud There are some events on Vashon to present the performances from Island that you just DON’T WANT TO students on stage this holiday season in MISS. This is one of them. Stage, film The Nutcracker, December 7-10 and A and television actor Stephen Tobolowsky Charlie Brown Christmas, December 15 is coming to Vashon again to tell his and 16. Audiences of all ages will enjoy entertaining stories. these holiday treats. This is the third visit for Stephen and The Nutcracker graces the Katherine he has taken Vashon to his heart. This L White stage with dancing snowflakes, benefit performance will be sure to sell mischievous mice, waltzing flowers and out (as it has in the past). In the last year, stunning dances. A loving family has a his popularity has surged again with party, dolls and toy soldiers come to life, two new TV roles, as well as his popular a nutcracker is transformed into a prince podcast and his new book, Adventures by magic, a little girl dreams of a land of with God. sweets and good overcomes evil. It’s all Tobolowsky is known for film in a day’s work for the dancers at Vashon roles such as annoying insurance agent Center for Dance. Ned Ryerson in Groundhog Day and Vadne Domeika, Director of Dance, amnesiac Sammy Jankis in Christopher is honored to be at the helm of this Nolan’s Memento, as well as such dance establishment. “Most dance television characters as Commissioner organizations have a much larger Hugo Jarry (Deadwood), Bob Bishop Stepen Tobolowsky. Photo by Jim Britt population to draw from. It is a testament (Heroes), Sandy Ryerson (Glee), Stu to the quality of our artistic community, Beggs (Californication and White Files,. My Adventures With God (Simon and something to be proud of, that we do Victorian living room, breathtaking Snow Famous), and Action Jack Barker (Silicon & Schuster April 18, 2017), a humorous, a production like this every December. It Scene and serene Land of Sweets, first Valley). introspective story collection about rivals much larger dance organizations,” seen on the stage last year, designed by Stephen has a monthly audio love, catastrophe, and triumph, all notes Domeika. When asked why The architect Robert Wright. New costumes podcast, The Tobolowsky Files, of told through the lens of Tobolowsky’s Nutcracker is performed every year, she by Kate Guinee and Gail Nispel make autobiographical stories of his acting evolving relationship with the mystery explains, “The Nutcracker is more than their debut, and other surprises await. and personal life. In 2015, he co-hosted a that is “God.” a beloved ballet that millions of people Catch the holiday spirit, be mesmerized short-lived second podcast, Big Problems see every year. To the dancers, it is also by artistry and enjoy Vashon’s tradition – An Advice Podcast, with David Chen. The event is a fundraiser for Safe an annual measurement of personal of The Nutcracker. He has also authored three books: Grad Night for the Class of 2019. In achievement. They begin as a mouse, and Also at VCA this winter is the VCA The Dangerous Animals Club and addition to hearing Stephen’s delightful aspire to someday dance the lead roles. Youth Musical Theatre performance of Cautionary Tales are based on original stories, you will get to participate in a It becomes a large part of their lives as A Charlie Brown Christmas. The musical stories from his Podcast The Tobolowsky Continued on Page 4 they progress in their dance training.” is performed by a cast of 23 enthusiastic This year the role of Sugar Plum students, ranging in age from first to fifth Fairy is shared by Grace Derrer and grade, with special appearances from a Kelsey Morrison. Domeika smiles and few younger siblings. remarks of the two high school seniors, Each student in the cast brings to The Road to Resilience “Kelsey has the beautiful long lines life a character from the Charles Schulz By Terry Sullivan, and charm of traditional classical ballet cartoons. Look for Charlie Brown (Eban Re-examining dancers. Grace is regal, dynamic and Tracy), Linus (Cooper Tantau), Lucy sprightly, like today’s contemporary (Bella Blankenship), Snoopy (Mimi to be rid of. At some point, the desire to The Season ballet dancers. Both are gorgeous and Dawson) and many more beloved The winter solstice has always give to friends and family came to be seen bring different aesthetics to the role.” characters in this holiday favorite. seemed to me to be more meaningful as a business opportunity. Before there Duncan Barlow returns as the Cavalier Director Marita Ericksen and than the summer solstice. The promise was so much stuff to buy, people gave of after a year of training and is sure to assistant director Elise Ericksen, with the of longer days at the darkest and coldest themselves, as there was not much “stuff” impress audiences with his artistry and help of VHS students Gabriel Dawson time of year is more heartening than the to buy. Somewhere in the 1920’s or 30’s, strength. The role of Clara is danced by and Cypress Sechrist, have created a beginning of shorter days in the summer. the idea of consumption as an end in itself Catherine Ellison and Audrey Shirk; Gus show sure to please both kids and adults. The darkness of December lends itself took hold. I understand that when Henry Holmes returns as the Nutcracker Prince. There will also be a holiday sing-along! to stillness, introspection, and peace: Ford wanted to increase car production, To perfect their parts, “They are at the Vashon Center for Dance Silent Night. From the very beginning, his workers declined higher pay for longer studio when I arrive. They know that The Nutcracker when humans first reflected on such hours because they were already making they cannot work enough. I feel blessed Thursday December 7, 5:30 pm things, I believe the winter solstice has enough money to buy what they needed. to have such dedicated students in our (Dress Rehearsal) $5 been the most important time in our They would rather have shorter hours and program,” says Domeika. Friday, December 8, 7 pm yearly cycle. Once we were confident more free time. It was at this point that Audience members will recognize Saturday, December 9, 1 pm & 7 pm that the sun would return, it became a the idea of creating and actively selling familiar choreography and will be Sunday, December 10, 1 pm time of celebration. It is no coincidence, new products, convincing people that they delighted by this year’s updates. “Our Katherine L White Hall then, that the early Christians decided to needed things that they heretofore had no Waltz is completely new,” explains $12 VCA Member/Student, $14 celebrate the birth of Jesus at this time. It use for, became the norm. Having more Domeika. “I did not have plans to change Senior, $16 General was convenient for the Roman Christians stuff to buy than money to buy it with it. Christine Juarez’s choreography was to substitute Christmas for the Roman created an endless hunger for more work lovely. We were goofing around with Youth Musical Theatre holiday of Saturnalia. time, more money. ballroom lifts after ballet class and I was A Charlie Brown Christmas A big part of the celebration included This from the introduction of The inspired by Emma Rose DeSantis and Friday, December 15, 7 pm countering the dark with light: bonfires New Hedonism: A Post Consumerism Duncan Barlow, who took to these moves Saturday, December 16, 1 pm in the beginning and, now, lights of all Vision by Kate Soper: like fish in water. A new Waltz was born, Katherine L White Hall kinds. It has become a time to get together “Consumerism is the major cause allowing me to showcase Emma’s talents $6 Student, $10 VCA Member/ with friends and to give to each other. of global warming and wrecking the and stage presence.” In addition, Tappers Senior, $12 General Earlier people had much more darkness to planet for future generations. It is driven have a newly integrated part in the show Tickets to all VCA performances counter than we have now. Electric light by a growth economy that favors the and the Modern dancers have updated and lectures can be purchased by calling has virtually eliminated the most dramatic ever-expanding consumption of the roles and choreography. Domeika says the front desk in the Katherine L White feature of this season that the rest of life already very affluent and has allowed of Crissy Baker, Kathleen Bonner and Building at 206-436-5131 during regular observes: the peace and stillness of the the gap between the richest and poorest Vanesa Wiley, “Our choreographers are business hours Monday or through dark time. to grow to inflammatory proportions, fabulous artists. I threw out ideas, and Friday 10 am to 5 pm and Saturday noon There is one tradition developed in Continued on Page 9 they ran with them.” to 5 pm or online at the last hundred years that I would like This year sees a return of the ornate www.vashoncenterforthearts.org The Vashon Loop, p. 2 December 7 ‘17 0 Don’t forget to shop local! and show our appreciation to our local Pending! business owners for all they do for our community. NORTHEND HOME - This tidy home with a view, is a WATERFRONT HOME- 3000+ sq ft home with window great investment or the place for beginning life on wall and doors with views from virtually every room! 90 Vashon! 2 bdrm + extra room with 1,420 square feet.