Madison Native Genevieve Custer Weeks to retire after this season’s Nutcracker

December 12, 2012 Press Releases

December 12, 2012 (Madison, WI)  Genevieve Custer Weeks, a native of Madison, WI, will retire from her professional dancing career following this run of Madison Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker, December 15 – 24, 2012 at Overture Hall in Madison, WI.

Custer Weeks has been performing for the last 22 years. She received her early ballet training in Madison and at age 15 she moved to Chicago to study at the School of Ballet Chicago. Custer Weeks has performed principal and soloist roles in numerous Madison Ballet productions including Cinderella, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Night Dances, Expressions, and Rain.  She currently resides in San Francisco with her husband and son.

“Genevieve’s love of dance and passion for life helped shape Madison Ballet into one of the most dynamic organizations in our community,” said Madison Ballet’s Artistic Director W. Earle Smith. “I am grateful for our friendship and her lasting imprint on Madison Ballet.”

On the evening of Saturday, December 15, there will be a special tribute performance followed by a farewell celebration for family and friends at Fresco Restaurant.

Madison Ballet’s The Nutcracker, is choreographed by Artistic Director W. Earle Smith, set to the beloved score by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The holiday classic tells the story of a young girl, Clara, and her favorite Christmas.  After receiving a Nutcracker doll from her mysterious godfather, Drosselmeyer, Clara falls asleep under the Christmas tree and is taken on a journey to a magical garden filled with glistening Snowflakes, whimsical Pulcinellas, waltzing flowers, and her Nutcracker, now a handsome prince.  Smith’s interpretation of the fairytale highlights Clara’s transformation into a young woman in the first act, more reminiscent of “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” penned by E.T.A. Hoffman in 1816, the story on which the ballet is based. The 2012 performances of The Nutcracker will feature live music performed by members of the Madison Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Music Director, John Demain.

The Nutcracker 2012 Performance Schedule

Saturday, December 15 – 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm
Sunday, December 16 – 2:00 pm
Saturday, December 22 – 2:00 pm
Sunday, December 23 – 2:00 pm
Monday, December 24 – 1:00pm

Overture Hall, Overture Center for the Arts
Ticket Prices: $14 – $59

 Madison Ballet promotes appreciation and access to ballet by providing training and performing opportunities through professionally produced productions and educational initiatives. Located at 160 Westgate Mall, Ste I, Madison, WI, 53711, Madison Ballet is the first professional level training program in South Central Wisconsin and one of the largest performing arts organizations in Wisconsin.

For more information on the Madison Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker, contact Kim Straka at 608.772.7207 or visit www.madisonballet.org.

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