Under the artistic direction of Cassandra Crowley Canton Ballet will present its sparkling holiday showpiece The Nutcracker in four performances on December 9, 10 and 11 at Canton’s Palace Theatre. Performance times are Friday, 7:30 pm; Saturday, 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm; and Sunday, 2:00 pm.
Canton Ballet has offered its beloved audience favorite since its first public performance in 1968. The tale of The Nutcracker, written by E.T.A. Hoffman in 1816, has fascinated and inspired artists, composers and audiences for almost 200 years. Its first presentation as a classic ballet took place at the Maryinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1892.
One of the brightest stars on northeast Ohio’s annual holiday scene, Canton Ballet’s The Nutcracker is presented in lavish sets and glittering costumes to the gorgeous music of Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky with choreography by Crowley, Canton Ballet choreographer in residence Angelo Lemmo and former assistant artistic director Carol Hageman.
In two acts The Nutcracker tells the story of a Christmas Eve in 1860 at the home of young Clara and her family during their holiday party. The mysterious magician Drosselmeyer makes a surprise visit and presents Clara with a very special Nutcracker doll. Thus begins the amazing journey of Clara and her Nutcracker prince—from a frenzied battle between life-sized toy soldiers and mice through the kingdom of Snow to the Land of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
Admission is $18-22 for adults, $14-18 for seniors and $8-10 for children. There is a discount for groups of 15 or more. Reserved seat tickets may be purchased online at cantonballet.com and in person or by telephone at 330-455-7220 at the ballet box office in the Canton Cultural Center for the Arts, 1001 Market Ave. N. in Canton.
The beautifully restored historic Palace Theatre is located at 605 Market Ave. N. in the downtown Canton Arts District. There is a wheelchair seating area on the main floor. The theatre box office opens one hour before performance times for advance purchase pickups and walkup sales only. Ticket purchase in advance is recommended for this popular event.
For additional information visit cantonballet.com or call the ballet office at 330-455-7220. Canton Ballet’s The Nutcracker is funded in part by Arts in Stark and the Ohio Arts Council with support by The Repository, Yamaha, Fishers Foods, WHBC, WKSU and WHLO.
