LOGAN – Local impresario Michael Ballam has joined the cast of a benefit ballet that will be staged during the upcoming holiday season.
“Everyone knows what a compelling performer Michael is,” explains Steffanie Casperson, the director of the local Ballet Aligned studio. “We are beyond thrilled that he agreed to join our show.”
That show will be an original ballet entitled The Night Before Christmas to benefit the Little Lambs Foundation for Kids. It debuted in 2022 as a collaborative effort by Ballet Aligned and the Utah Festival Conservatory of the Performing Arts, the youth educational arm of the Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre.
The new and improved ballet version of The Night Before Christmas will be performed on Dec. 11 and 12 at the Utah Theatre.
Based on the famous poem by Clement C. Moore, the storyline of the benefit ballet was jointly developed in 2022 by Casperson and Joel Ackerman, a writer/publisher/producer and current creative director for Angel Studios.
It will recount the magical events of that particular Christmas Eve as seen through the eyes of Moore’s grown son Benjamin, who not only knows the story but also remembers the impact it had on his father.
This year, Casperson says, role of Benjamin will be played by Ballam.
The show is being directed by Stefan Espinosa of the Utah Festival Conservatory, who also played the role of Benjamin in 2022.
“Unlike the (more traditional) Nutcracker,” he says, “this ballet invites you to look at yourself, at who you are and see how the magic of Christmas can impact you.
“It’s a perfect Christmas treat to warm you from the inside,” Espinosa adds.
“Last year,” Casperson says, “with a cast of 55 people and an audience just shy of 500 people attending two performances of this show, we were able to raise nearly $5,000 for Little Lambs.”
The principal dancers in The Night Before Christmas will be guest performers from Ballet West and students from Ballet Aligned.
The new and improved version of The Night Before Christmas for 2023 has added a choir, tap-dancing reindeer and some additional roles, boosting its cast to nearly 90 people. While Casperson acknowledges those changes have increased expenses, she still has high hopes for the benefit since its run has been increased to three performances.
“I’m really hoping that we shatter that $5,000 goal,” Casperson says.
Casperson believes that The Night Before Christmas benefit will be “a wonderful excuse” to come to downtown Logan, see the show, have dinner and be back home by bedtime.
“Best of all,” she adds, “you’ll be helping kids and families in need. What could be better?”
The Little Lambs Foundation for Kids is a non-profit group that aims to help struggling families and foster youth by providing necessary items that no child should have to go without. Their primary function is to supply low-income families with diapers, baby supplies and clothing to help keep babies happy, healthy and dry.
Ballet Aligned is an organization committed to making better ballet more accessible.
It offers mini-sessions, providing young dancers their first taste of classical ballet; master classes with professional dancers; and community engagement efforts to help parents, students, and teachers expand their expertise in this art form.
The Night Before Christmas benefit is slated to be performed on Dec. 11 at 5:30 p.m. and on Dec. 12 at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. All performances will be staged in the Utah Theatre.
Additional information and tickets can be obtained by going online to www.BalletBenefit.com
The Utah Theatre is located at 18 West Center Street in downtown Logan.
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