Celebrate the holiday season with Ballet Theatre Ashtabula's

"The Nutcracker."

December1, 2 (sold out), 3, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17.

Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets: $12 patron, $10 adult, $9 senior, $8 student/child For reservations (440) 964-3396

For millions of Americans, it wouldn't be Christmas without seeing a production of Tchaikovsky's “Nutcracker.” The magic of the holiday season awaits you and your family when Ballet Theatre Ashtabula presents a full scale production of “Nutcracker” on December 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16 and 17.

This enduring holiday classic with its splendid dancing, charming music and spectacular special effects appeals to audiences of all ages. There’s a thrill when the lights begin to dim and an expectant hush sweeps the audience. Adults are torn between watching the stage and watching the faces of small, wide-eyed children who are experiencing the magic for the very first time. As the curtain opens, the magic begins!

Once upon a time.....
It's a cozy Christmas Eve at the grand house of the Stahlbaum’s. Delicious scents of holiday treats waft from the kitchen as snow falls gently outside the frosty paned windows. The children, Fritz and Clara, delight in the gay decorations of wreaths and mistletoe and, in the center of it all, a magnificent tree!

When guests appear for the family’s annual Christmas party, the celebration begins. Soon, the children’s godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer, arrives delighting Clara, Fritz, and all of the children with his gifts of magic and toys. Amidst the joyful festivities, he presents young Clara with the best gift of all--a charming Nutcracker doll. But when a jealous Fritz breaks the doll and brings Clara to tears, Herr Drosselmeyer works more of his magic, fixing the toy with a magic wave of his handerkerchief.

When the party ends, Clara's family retires to bed. But the little girl can’t stop thinking of her new doll. Stealing back to the living room, she falls asleep beneath the tree with the Nutcracker clasped tightly in her arms. But at the stroke of midnight, she is suddenly awakened to discover the beautiful tree growing to a gigantic size! Before her eyes the Nutcracker doll and Fritz’s toy soldiers come to life and grow to life-size proportions. Then, out of nowhere, an army of furry, larger-than-life, mice, led by a giant Mouse King, scurry into the room and attack the Nutcracker and his soldiers who fight to protect Clara. It’s a long, hard battle, but when Clara makes a desperate move to save her Nutcracker from defeat, she throws her slipper at the Mouse King, giving the Nutcracker the chance to run his sword through the evil rodent king. As the mice flee with their leaders lifeless body, Clara watches her Nutcracker transform into a handsome prince. Taking her by the hand, he helps her into a beautiful sleigh and the two of them embark on a midnight journey to the Enchanted Kingdom where snowflakes dance in the gentle breezes of the Snowy Pine Forest.

In the Land of Sweets, Clara can't believe her eyes; ladyfinger mountains topped with whipped cream whiter than snow, sweetly glazed flowers and butter-cream frosting everywhere she looks! Greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy, the travelers reenact the night's events and the Sugar Plum Fairy is most impressed with Clara's bravery and the Nutcracker's heroism. In their honor, she throws a lavish festival, treating them like royalty and presenting them with every imaginable sweet! Soon, dancing begins to the lively music of the Spanish fandango. Dancers move their bodies like rising steam to an Arabian song and Matroishkas dance to an invigorating Russian Trepak. To Clara's enjoyment, the wonders go on and on. As the festivities end, a Cavalier enters the scene and escorts the Sugar Plum Fairy to the center of the room. The captivating pair dance a dance lighter than air completing Clara’s most perfect evening...

Performances of “Nutcracker” often sell out early. Guarantee yourself and your family the holiday magic and delight of Ballet Theatre Ashtabula’s cherished classic event by making your reservations today! (440) 964-3396.