Jewish ballerina Samantha Hope Galler and Jewish singer Melissa Jacobson each star in ballet and cabaret shows taking place in the final week of December.
Galler stars in the Miami City Ballet production of George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker” in five shows running from Dec. 28-30 at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach.
Jacobson stars in “From PGA to the Great White Way: A New Year’s Eve Song and Dance Champagne Celebration” in two 90-minute shows on Dec. 31 at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at the PGA Arts Center in Palm Beach Gardens.
Galler will dance in “The Nutcracker” in the multiple roles of Demi-Soloist Flower, Lead Spanish, Marzipan, Party Parent, Snowflake and the Sugarplum Fairy among other on stage characters.
“I enjoy playing all the roles, but performing as Sugarplum Fairy is a dream role and a continuous learning experience,” said Galler.
In her fourth year with the Miami City Ballet, Galler will also be dancing as a Demi-Soloist in “Theme and Variations,” as a Diamond Demi-Soloist and a Ruby in “Jewels” and in various Jerome Robbins ballets in the MCB’s 100th birthday tribute to Robbins later this season.
Prior to joining Miami City Ballet in 2014, Galler spent five seasons with the Alabama Ballet as principal dancer, performing in lead roles in prestigious ballets, such as “Romeo and Juliet,” “Swan Lake” and “The Sleeping Beauty.”
Born and raised in Bedford, MA, Galler was raised in Conservative Judaism and attended Hebrew school until the fourth grade.
“My family and I decided that I had to make sacrifices to pursue a career in ballet. It was a big adjustment for the family to give up the Sabbath. However, I continued to attend services when I could and celebrate the Jewish traditions with my family,” said Galler.
Galler resides in Miami Beach and attends services at Temple Emanu-El in Miami Beach.
“My great grandpa Sam sang at Temple Emanu-El and I met an entire group of friends who give me support outside the ballet,” said Galler.
For show times and tickets at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach, call 561-832-7469 or go to www.miamicityballet.org.
Jacobson sings along with nine other singers and dancers who will perform songs from Broadway in the two cabaret shows that features songs and choreographed dance routines.
Jacobson will sing “My Man” from the Broadway musical “Funny Girl” as the highlight of the show.
Songs and dances from other Broadway musicals include performances from “Anything Goes,” “Chicago,” “Rent,” and “The Sound of Music” among other shows.
“The audiences will feel very positive, not only from the enthusiasm that all the singers and dancers will send from the stage, but also for the optimism of the songs that we will sing. The New Year’s Eve shows are a wonderful way to bring in the New Year,” said Jacobson.
Jacobson is a veteran of cabaret shows, having performed as Fanny Brice at the now defunct Plaza Theatre in Manalalpan in 2014.
She resides in Palm Beach Gardens with her husband, Alan, past artistic director of the Plaza Theatre and their two sons.
For tickets at PGA Arts Center, 4076 PGA Blvd in Palm Beach Gardens, call 561-808-3446 or go to www.pgaartscenter.com.