By Jack Tenold, Library Programs and Communications Intern
Hidden History: July 28, 1950: This week, we look back at the dazzling 1950 Sun Valley Water Ballet, a crowd-favorite staged at the Sun Valley Lodge Pool. Directed by Dorothy Collins and inspired by Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, the show blended synchronized swimming, dance, and elaborate costumes into a polished amateur production. Though it remained a beloved summer tradition for over a decade, the Water Ballet came to an end in the early 1960s.
Reposted from the July 28, 1950, issue of The Valley Sun newspaper.
The opening performance of the 1950 Sun Valley Aquacade was celebrated last Sunday evening at the Lodge Pool before a capacity crowd of over 200 enthusiastic guests. Adopting last year’s theme of Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite,” the current show embraces a number of improvements and modifications which provide a style and finesse rarely, if ever, found in an amateur production. So, even though you may have seen the ’49 aquacade, you are in for a grand treat when you see this new one.
Recognizing the difficulties inherent in such a theme, Director Dorothy Collins has approached the problem with great sensitivity. As a result, the interpretation is one of beauty and subtlety. Combining colorfully costumed stage dancing with cleverly executed swimming numbers, the director has brilliantly succeeded in bringing to life the story of Tchaikovsky’s tiny heroine and her dreams of a fairy prince. As the sleeping child is carried to many strange and exciting lands, the audience finds itself reliving the wonderful adventure.
And since the pattern is interspersed with some special features including a fine diving sequence and a particularly clever clown routine, the journey is one of continuous entertainment. From the very moment when Merwin Haskel and John Creer, in the role of pool attendants, open the festivities with an extremely humorous bit of ad-libbing to the colorful finale, the show moves along with dispatch and polish.
Truly a fine program in every way, the Water Ballet of 1950 takes its place among the most outstanding entertainment features ever presented at Sun Valley.
Along with the praise owed to producer Dorothy Collins and her two assistants, Mary Collins and Carol Richards, special mention is due to John Creer who serves as stage manager, Eddie Seagle for his fine settings, Nate Scott who handles the lighting, Al Cimaglia who does a superb job of announcing, and Mrs. E. N. Sexton of Ketchum for her effective costume designing.
Already presented on two occasions, the Water Ballet will be staged at frequent intervals throughout the season. Because of the limited seating facilities of the Lodge Pool, and because of the great popularity of the show, it may be necessary to issue tickets in order to ensure all guests securing seats. Such tickets will be distributed by the Sports Desks at both the Lodge and the Inn and may be had for the asking. Watch the bulletin boards for announcements of the next presentation.
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The Library’s Center for Regional History strives to deepen a sense of place in central Idaho through preservation, research, education, and exhibits. Research requests can be made here.
