Cue the orchestra and sound the bells, it’s time to celebrate Christmas with young Clara Stahlbaum and her beloved Nutcracker.
A holiday favourite for all ages, local audiences can wake up to The Nutcracker once again when the famed ballet returns to the Vernon Performing Arts Centre next weekend.
Presented by the Generation II Dance Society, featuring the students of the Canadian School of Ballet and Ballet Kelowna’s professional dancers, this is the 23rd annual performance for the ballet in the Okanagan, and the 12th year it has been performed at the Performing Arts Centre.
Based on ETA Hoffman’s story, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, and set to the famed Tchaikovsky score, the story follows a young girl who receives a magical nutcracker from her godfather Drosselmeyer.
Later, when the Nutcracker comes to life, it wards off the dreaded Mouse King and his army. Clara then watches as the Nutcracker transforms into his true self, a prince, and to thank her, he brings her to the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets.
There she meets The Sugar Plum Fairy and other delightful characters who bring her sweet treats.
Audiences will want to indulge when The Nutcracker takes the stage Friday, Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 15 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are available at the Ticket Seller, 549-7469, www.ticketseller.ca.
