2004-12-19
VOICE ONE:
The ballet is about a young girl named Clara. Clara is
celebrating Christmas with her family and friends. One of her
Christmas presents is a little device to open nuts -- a nutcracker.
It is shaped like a toy soldier. She dreams that the nutcracker
comes to life as a good-looking prince.
Professional dance groups in many
American cities perform the ballet at this time of year. They often
use students from local ballet schools to dance the part of Clara
and the other children in the story. This gives parents a chance to
see their children perform.
VOICE TWO:
We leave you with "The Waltz of the Flowers" from "The
Nutcracker." It is played by the Philadelphia Orchestra, led by
Eugene Ormandy.
(MUSIC)
VOICE ONE:
Today's program was written by Shelley Gollust. It was produced
and directed by Lawan Davis. I'm Shirley Griffith.
(MUSIC)
VOICE TWO:
And I'm Ray Freeman. Join us again next week for another report
about life in the United States on the V-O-A Special English
program, THIS IS AMERICA.