A holiday classic that has been a part of Staunton for 28 years, Tchaikovsky’s full-length ballet The Nutcracker returns this weekend with local talent under the direction of the Shenandoah Civic Dance Company.Made up of local school and home school children and dance alumni, the ballet requires almost 100 children and young adults to fill the parts of dancing mice, wooden soldiers, dancing bakers, dancing clowns, Mother Ginger and the little Gingersnaps, flowers, snowflakes, Snow Queen, Arabian dancers, dancing dolls, Sugar Plum Fairy, party girls and boys, couples, Chinese dancers, Russian dancers, Spanish dancers, little brother Fritz, and most importantly the Nutcracker and Clara. International guest dancer again this year is Jurijs Safonovs who was formerly with the Latvian National Opera Ballet.
This year will feature local dancers Kaitlyn McMillion and Darian Payne who will perform as Clara on alternating nights. Kaylin Pack will dance as the Sugar Plum Fairy, and her Cavalier will be Mr. Safonovs.
With the wonderful choreography of Pamela McCray, original story by E. T. A. Hoffman, and timeless beautiful musical score by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, The Nutcracker is a magical evening for young and old alike.
Performances will be held Saturday night, December 11, at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday afternoon, December 12, at 2:00 p.m. at Robert E. Lee High School located at 1200 N. Coalter Street in Staunton.
General admission tickets are $11 for adults and $9 for children through high school age. Babies under age 2 sitting on laps are free. Limited reserved admission tickets are $15 for adults and $13 for children through high school age.
Tickets are available at the door or may be purchased at Staunton's Bookworks at 101 W. Beverley Street, You're A Star in Harrisonburg's Valley Mall, and Party & Paper in Waynesboro. For ticket information call (540) 885-8524.
See you at The Nutcracker....
