Gracie Moffitt eagerly awaits the production’s world premiere on Thanksgiving weekend

Gracie Moffitt of Happy Valley will perform in the Portland Ballet’s world premiere of John Clifford’s “A Christmas Carol: The Ballet” on Thanksgiving weekend.

A student at Clackamas Community College studying early learning, Moffitt trains through TPB’s Career Track program for pre-professionals. Previously performing in “The Nutcracker”, she studied ballet for 12 years and also trained at the Oregon Ballet Theater and the School of Philadelphia Ballet.

Moffitt said she “couldn’t be more excited” for the upcoming performances of “A Christmas Carol”.

“It’s always a joy to perform on stage, especially not having been able to do it for the past two years, and to have the opportunity to learn new choreography,” she said. “The music and the overall aesthetic of the show get you into the real Christmas spirit. I know I and the rest of TPB can’t wait to play.”

The Portland Ballet production will give Charles Dickens’ familiar tale of Ebenezer Scrooge a new twist with new choreography, an original score by Karl Moraski and new stage designs by Kim Morris. TPB founders Nancy Davis and Jim Lane decided to return to live performances by growing up and commissioning a whole new ballet.

Clifford, the company’s artistic advisor, is best known as the founder and artistic director of the first Los Angeles Ballet, and principal dancer and choreographer of the New York City Ballet. He is widely regarded as the choreographic protege of George Balanchine and has just published the highly anticipated memoir “Balanchine’s Apprentice: From Hollywood to New York and Back”.

“For my new ballet, for the holidays and as an alternative to the Endless Nutcracker, I wanted to do something new, but at the same time familiar and easy to understand,” said Clifford. “Most families know the story of Miser Scrooge and how he went from the baddest man in London to the nicest. It’s a moral tale that children, as well as adults, love in the whole world.

“In my version, I emphasize the love that permeates this Charles Dickens story, and it’s not as dark and scary as the original book or the various film and TV versions. We show why Scrooge got so sour. , so that we understand him better and forgive him for his faults. ”

The Portland Ballet staged its biggest production of the year on Thanksgiving weekend since 2003. The cast of approximately 30 dancers will include four guest artists. Moffitt will be featured in a Pas de Six, which features advanced dancers.

“A Christmas carol: the ballet”

When: 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, November 27-28

Where: Lincoln Performance Hall at Portland State University, 1620 SW Park Ave., Portland

Tickets: start at $ 15 and will be limited to allow for social distancing

Duration: 50 minutes without intermission

More: theportlandballet.org or 503-452-8448; Members of the public will be required to wear masks and show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test within 72 hours.