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Posts Tagged ‘The Nutcracker’

Skyy Lippo

Skyy Lippo, talented ballerina and car enthusiast. (submitted photo)

Joey Lippo

   Joey Lippo is one of the few baseball players on the Island to have played for teams in Coupeville, Oak Harbor and South Whidbey. (John Fisken photo)

Rabbit rescuers, and the closest Joey will come to smiling for the camera ... ever. (Joe Lippo photo)

Rabbit rescuers, and maybe the closest Joey will come to smiling for the camera … ever. (Joe Lippo photo)

Is there any down time in Lippo Land?

I ask because it seems at times that twins Skyy and Joey Lippo, Coupeville High School sophomore sensations who celebrate a joint birthday Sunday, are always busy.

Joey is a three-sport athlete at CHS, one of the few to uphold the old tradition, and plays tennis, basketball and baseball for the Wolves.

His sister owns most of the family’s battle scars, however, competing in the much-more cutthroat world of dance.

A ballet star, Skyy was recently named as the youngest company captain in Whidbey Island Dance Theatre history, and has already performed in productions of The Nutcracker and Giselle.

Both have hit the road for their loves, with Joey attending national spring training for athletes in his age bracket, while Skyy went to Texas to study ballet.

And, both have a yen for projects out of the spotlight as well, with Joey doing time as an accomplished salmon fisher and Skyy having recently acquired a ’72 Charger that she and dad Joe will be working on.

Now, at this point we could go on and on with a very long list of their other accomplishments, but we do have to leave their proud papa with something to put on his Twitter.

From the outside looking in, my perspective on the Lippo twins is this — they’re good people.

Both Skyy and Joey are personable (though getting the Zen-like Joey to smile for the camera is lodged firmly on the list of hardest things for a professional photographer to accomplish) and excel in a quiet, do your job manner.

They accomplish a lot, but don’t spend much time boasting about their exploits or unnecessarily thumping themselves on the chests.

Runway ego doesn’t seem to be a problem for them, and the duo are happy to let others rant and rave about their awesomeness.

So, having elbowed their dad out of the way for a moment (it’s easy when he’s looking down at his fingers while tweeting), I’m here to do just that.

Take my word for it, the Lippo twins are among the brightest lights we have shining in Coupeville right now.

As they go forward and stack those accomplishments to the ceiling in the years to come, I look forward to writing much more about them.

Cause, first and foremost, unlike fellow Wolf twin terrors Jake and Josh Lord or Ana and Ivy Luvera, I can actually tell Skyy and Joey apart, which is HUGE for a somewhat lazy reporter.

But, most of all, it’s always so much easier to write about people you genuinely like.

And the Lippo twins? They’re killin’ it on the likability charts.

So, happy birthday, Skyy. Happy birthday, Joey.

Keep on keepin’ on, cause what you’re doin’? It’s working.

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Skyy

CHS students Skyy Lippo (left) and Sylvia Hurlburt are currently dancing in a production of “The Nutcracker.” (John Fisken photos)

dance

Hurlburt disappears back under the mask of the Rat King.

The dance goes on.

The Whidbey Island Dance Theatre is currently in the middle of putting on its 22nd annual production of The Nutcracker.

Notable for Coupeville fans is the fact two Wolves are dancing in the ballet — CHS freshman Skyy Lippo and junior Sylvia Hurlburt.

You still have three chances left to see the duo on stage, with two performances Saturday (2 PM and 7:30) and one Sunday (2 PM).

The show is being held at South Whidbey High School’s Performing Arts Center (5675 Maxwelton Rd in Langley).

For more info, pop over to:

http://widtonline.org/

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Sylvia Hurlburt strikes a pose. (MIchael Stadler photos)

Sylvia Hurlburt strikes a pose and makes my toes hurt. (Michael Stadler photos)

Skyy Lippo elevates.

Skyy Lippo elevates.

Contributed by Joe Lippo

“Oh, you need 10 practices before you can play in your first game? That’s cute.”

Ballet dancers like CHS’ own Sylvia Hurlburt and Skyylynn Lippo can probably do your practice without breaking a sweat.

They have been in full speed rehearsal since September for Whidbey Island Dance Theatre’s 22nd annual production of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker.

This is where the whole island comes together for eight shows over two weeks, not counting the rehearsals.

“There were no cuts from your team? Everyone made it? That’s cute.”

Approximately 75 dancers showed up to audition for parts in the performance, and fully three quarters of those were sent home.

Dancers learn to handle rejection at a very early age. It’s a tough gig, and everyone knows it.

Except at the end, there is no trophy, no MVP, no varsity letter.

Just accolades, flowers, and if you’re really lucky, a standing ovation.

“Tape it and give me a Motrin, I’m going back out in 60 seconds.”

How many other sports require you to finish one piece, exit the stage, change an extremely elaborate costume, and get back on stage in under a minute?

Here’s a hint: NONE.

And if you can’t do that with a smile on your face, there is always another dancer that knows your part cold. They are waiting for the chance to show the director that they are better than you.

This is not the kiddie version of the Nutcracker, this is the one that can compete with any other show.

The show starts on December 12th, and closes on the 21st. All shows are on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with two shows on Saturday.

For ticket info, pop over to:

http://www.widtonline.org/

To see more of Michael Stadler’s photography, check out:

http://www.stadlerstudio.com/

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