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Dance, pageantry and magic will once again come together this holiday season in Niagara County’s favorite family classic.
The Greater Niagara Ballet Co. will present “The Nutcracker” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Niagara Falls High School Performing Arts Center, 4455 Porter Road. The GNBC’s production showcases both local and Canadian dancers in a ballet set to the direction of artistic director Beverley Feder, FISTD, FCUSA, FICIA. In addition, local character actors and brave parents will participate in the Act I party scene.
“The Nutcracker” story begins inside the Silberhaus living room, where family and friends gather to celebrate Christmas Eve. Clara, captivated by the merriment, awaits the arrival of mysterious Uncle Drosselmeyer. Upon his entrance, he brings unique presents for the partygoers. In particular, Drosselmeyer gives his niece a special gift: a bright red nutcracker doll.
Later that night, Clara, finding it hard to sleep, tiptoes into the living room to sneak a peek at her new doll. As the clock strikes midnight, she awakens to see the Christmas tree magically growing – and her nutcracker springing to life to battle the evil Mouse King!
Soon after, the nutcracker is transformed into a handsome prince who travels with Clara through the “Land of Snow” to the “Kingdom of Sweets.” Once there, they meet colorful, dreamlike characters from around the world.
Act II takes Clara on a tour of the world’s artistic communities. Featured scenes include the “Grand Pas de Deux,” “Waltz of the Flowers” and “Sugarplum Fairy.” Guest and lead artists include Aniko Nagy, Mariette Feltrin, Serena Feltrin, Lily Traver, Grace Wythe, Mary Schnepf, Paul Thomas and Irek Muchalski.
Tickets to “The Nutcracker” are $20 for adults and $17 for students and senior citizens. A family pack (two adults, two students) costs $70. Pre-sale tickets are available on the GNBC website, www.greaterniagaraballetcompany.org. Pending availability, tickets also will be sold at the door.
“The Nutcracker” is set to the musical composition of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, based on a story by Ernest Hoffman. For more information, call 716-285-6800 or visit www.greaterniagaraballetcompany.org.