The Show Must Go On

A Ballet Rises from the Camp Fire's Ashes Updated: 4 a.m. Feb. 1, 2019

Grace Rosendin has danced for Northern California Ballet since she was 5 years old. As December neared, she looked forward to performing in the annual production of “The Nutcracker” at the Paradise Performing Arts Center. They had already been practicing for months when the Camp Fire hit. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

"The Nutcracker" was off. The dancers had no tights or leotards. The studio had no sets or costumes. They couldn’t afford to replace what the Camp Fire incinerated, and the show became one more loss in a long string of unfathomable losses. Northern California Ballet School

Soon, however, the ballet was flooded with goodwill offers: Costumes, sets, shoes and tights came from around the world. They pushed the show back to late January, but at least it was still happening. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

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Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

“The Nutcracker” opened on Fri., Jan. 18 at the State Theater in Oroville. The audience was packed, filled with fellow fire victims supporting cast members who had also lost so much. Of the 58 performers, all but 12 lost their homes in the Camp Fire. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

The Show Must Go On

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