As dancing mice, rag dolls, and holly berries twirl across the stage at Woodside Performing Arts Center in the dance production of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” artistic director Coleen Duncan will be anxiously watching from the control booth.
She’s familiar with every minute of the holiday production, which is based on the poem by Clement Moore. She danced in the show from ages 8 to 18, and has been its director for three years.
“I grew up in dancing,” she says. It’s in the family. Her mother, Sylvia Duncan of Atherton, and Sarah Jean Measor are co-owners of Menlo Park Academy of Dance. They acquired the business four years ago from RoseAnn Saylor, who founded the academy, located at 1163 El Camino Real, back in 1947.
“‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” is co-presented by the Dancers Repertory Theatre and Menlo Park Academy of Dance. The original choreography and concert were created by Jeannde Herst of Oakland. She and RoseAnn Saylor founded the Dancers Repertory Theatre in 1969 as an outlet for serious students of dance to perform. The 102 dancers in this year’s show were selected by auditions
Coleen Duncan directs her young charges from a wheelchair. She doesn’t complain about long hours of rehearsal that began in September. “On weekends I’m here from 10 to 5, ” she says.
Now 43, Coleen has been dancing since she was 4. During high school, she taught ballet, jazz and tap. After graduating from Menlo-Atherton High School, she moved to Los Angeles for college and danced professionally (mostly jazz). She spent seven years trying acting and show business and found it “very challenging.”
Moving back to the Bay Area, she got married, continued teaching jazz, and worked for the San Jose Sharks, a job she loved. A diabetic since childhood, she underwent a kidney transplant in 1997. An adverse reaction to medication resulted in near death. She has recovered, but is confined to a wheelchair. She undergoes dialysis and is awaiting another kidney transplant.
“‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” which showcases the academy’s most talented students, is set in the 1800s. It is noted for the lavish costumes the young dancers wear. “The costumes are exquisite,” says Ms. Duncan. “The kids get so excited when they get to take the costumes home.”
The colorful holiday family show lasts only 75 minutes. It is ideal entertainment for youngsters who find themselves bored and restless after two hours of “The Nutcracker.”
The six performances of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” — presented on Sunday, Dec. 7, and Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 13 and 14 — will be the culmination of months of hard work by the young dancers. “Many of the girls, especially the older ones, are also in dance competitions, so they are busy all year long,” says Ms. Duncan.
She says the kids are very cooperative and respectful . “We want to enrich their lives,” she says.
“‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” has been performed by generations of little ballerinas and has played in the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco and Stanford Memorial Audition, among other venues. This is the fourth year for the production to be held at Woodside Performing Arts Center.
“The theater holds about 500. We hope to be sold out every performance,” says Coleen.
INFORMATION
“‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” family holiday entertainment based on the poem by Clement Moore and presented by Dancers Repertory Theatre and Menlo Park Academy of Dance, will be performed at the Woodside High School Performing Arts Center, at the corner of Woodside Road and Churchill Avenue, at 1:30 and 4 p.m. on these days: Sunday, Dec. 7; Saturday, Dec. 13; and Sunday, Dec. 14. Tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for children and seniors. Call 323-5292 or visit TwastheNight.org.
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