The Morning Call

It’s ‘Nutcracker’ holiday ballet season!

Here’s your guide to Lehigh Valley production­s

- By Craig Larimer

‘Tis the season to escape to an enchanted evening where dreams come to life — through magical dance. Lehigh Valley production­s of “The Nutcracker,” set to the unforgetta­ble music of Tchaikovsk­y, are a holiday tradition poised to delight all audiences.

The legendary story follows a young girl who falls asleep and envisions a Christmas fantasylan­d, where her nutcracker has transforme­d into a handsome prince and dynamic dancers perform for her entertainm­ent.

This year’s shows feature live music, both profession­al and local dancers, colorful costumes and Christmas trees that magically grow on stage.

Here’s your guide to upcoming holiday production­s.

Pennsylvan­ia Youth Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’ at Zoellner” Public performanc­es 1 p.m. and 4 :3 0 p.m. Dec. 1 0 ; and 2 p.m. Dec. 1 1

Additional school shows are also included 10 a.m. Dec 7, Dec. 8, and Dec. 9

The longest-running “Nutcracker” in the Lehigh

Valley returns for its 54th year as Pennsylvan­ia Youth Ballet/Ballet Guild of the Lehigh Valley fills the Zoellner Arts Center stage featuring more than 100 artists — including guest performers from the Pennsylvan­ia Ballet, Philadelph­ia; alumni of Pennsylvan­ia Youth Ballet/Ballet Guild of the Lehigh Valley and local high school talent.

All performanc­es will feature a 48-piece orchestra, the Southside Sinfoniett­a, under the direction of Eugene Albulescu of Lehigh University. Over 80 Lehigh Valley area students will sing Waltz of the Snowflakes and holiday music in the Zoellner lobby before each show.

Guest artists include Amanda

Smith (Sugar Plum Fairy) principal dancer with New York Theatre Ballet and Dance Theatre of Harlem; Da’ Von Doane (Sugar Plum Cavalier) from the University of The Arts in Philadelph­ia; Stephaen Hood (Snow King, Arabian) dance teacher for Anne Arundel County Public Schools; Tevin Johnson (Harlequin, Candy Cane) teacher at City College of Manhattan theater department.

This year will also feature a new Act II backdrop for the Land of Sweets — conceived of and designed by Carl Sprague.

For tickets and info contact zoellnerar­tscenter.org or 610-7582787.

Tickets are available at go.lehigh.edu/tickets or by calling 610-758-2787, ext. 0.

More informatio­n: markjen@ ptd.net and zoellnerar­tscenter.

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Repertory Dance Theatre at Allentown’s Miller Symphony Hall 2 p.m. Dec. 4 and Dec. 4

Repertory Dance Theatre’s “Nutcracker” returns to Allentown’s

Miller Symphony Hall under the artistic direction of Jennifer Haltzman Tracy and Trinette Singleton and with live music by the award-winning Allentown Symphony Orchestra.

RDT’s special performing guests include Mari Takayama (Sugarplum Fairy) dancer with Eglevsky Ballet; Thierry

Turn to ‘Nutcracker’,

Blannchard dancer with Eglevsky Ballet; Samantha Fruhwirth who danced with American Repertory Ballet; and Daniel Mayo who was a profession­al dancer with Philadelph­ia based, Ballet X.

The company’s pre-profession­al dancers — along with children and adults from the community — round out the cast.

More informatio­n: 610-965-6216 millersymp­honyhall.org and repertoryd­ance.org

‘Nutcracker! Magic of Christmas Ballet’ at Easton’s State Theatre 7 p.m. Dec. 13

This Christmas, bring the family back to a simpler time with “Nutcracker! Magic of Christmas Ballet.’ The acclaimed holiday tradition returns for the 30th Anniversar­y tour. You can re-live your fondest childhood dreams, overflowin­g with larger-thanlife puppets, breathtaki­ng acrobatics and dazzling costumes.

Experience the exquisite artistry of the internatio­nal cast, featuring stars of Ukraine ballet, performing at the highest level of classical technique.

More informatio­n: statetheat­re.org and 610-258-7766

Morning Call Arts & Entertainm­ent Editor Craig Larimer can be reached at 610-778-7993 or at clarimer@mcall.com

Follow Craig on Twitter @ cklarimer

 ?? HARRY FISHER/THE MORNING CALL ?? The “Snow Queen” dances with Pennsylvan­ia Youth Ballet and Lehigh Valley Ballet Guild. This year’s performanc­es will be Dec. 10-11 at the Zoellner Arts Center.
HARRY FISHER/THE MORNING CALL The “Snow Queen” dances with Pennsylvan­ia Youth Ballet and Lehigh Valley Ballet Guild. This year’s performanc­es will be Dec. 10-11 at the Zoellner Arts Center.
 ?? COURTESY ?? The Candy Cane dance in the Pennsylvan­ia Youth Ballet’s ‘Nutcracker.’
COURTESY The Candy Cane dance in the Pennsylvan­ia Youth Ballet’s ‘Nutcracker.’

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