Scott Layden, director of basketball operations for the Utah Jazz, and daughters Sarah and Hannah will be guests of honor at this year's Daddy-Daughter Night at "The Nutcracker" Friday, Dec. 17.
Lucky participants will enjoy a buffet dinner at the Red Lion at 5 p.m., orchestra seats in the Capitol Theatre for "The Nutcracker" at 7 p.m., and onstage reception following the performance.Tickets are $50 per person and may be reserved by calling 363-9318.
- FOR THE SECOND YEAR Mer-vyn's, a division of Dayton Hudson Corp., joined Ballet West to sponsor "The Nutcracker"' orchestra dress rehearsal at the Browning Center for the Performing Arts at Weber State University in Ogden on Dec. 8 and the piano dress reheasal at the Capitol Theatre in Salt Lake City Dec. 13 for children of special needs.
More than 2,500 children with physical or mental disabilities, from high-risk situations, or socially or economically needy, from more than 54 schools and organizations, have enjoyed this year's holiday treat.
- WILLAM F. CHRISTENSEN, Ballet West founder and choreographer of "The Nutcracker," was honored by Salt Lake County with a special resolution citing his commitment to the dance world, presented to him in commission chambers on Monday.
The founder of San Francisco Ballet and Ballet West and choreographer of the first full-length American production of "`The Nutcracker" (1944), Christensen retired from Ballet West in 1978. Now 91, he teaches advanced technique, pas de deux and men's classes at the Ballet West Conservatory and is special artistic advisor for Ballet West's annual "Nutcracker."