YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Ballet Western Reserve will return to Powers Auditorium this weekend with its annual performances of “The Nutcracker.”
Performances will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6; and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7.
Adult tickets are $35 (seniors and students, $30; children under 12, $20). Call the box office at 330 259 9651 or go to DeyorPAC.org.
The timeless classic uses ballet to tell the story of young Clara, the Toy Soldiers, the Mouse Queen and the Sugar Plum Fairy.
More than 100 local students are in the cast, and the production includes live music by the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra.
In the tale, Clara’s nutcracker doll comes to life on Christmas Eve and wages a battle against the evil Mouse Queen. The story continues through the snowy pine forest, a greeting from the beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy and dancing in the Land of the Sweets.
A special professional guest is included in this year’s cast. Jens Lee, a Valley native and alumnus of BWR, will dance the Cavalier role.
Lee is a professional dancer and educator.
Danielle Perrotta, artistic and executive director of BWR, said the students are excited to again present the family-friendly show.
“With over 100 dancers in the cast this year, the addition of Jens Lee in a lead role and the amazing Youngstown Symphony Orchestra for the fourth year in a row, we are thrilled to bring this magical and professional-level production to our community,” she said.
Pictured at top: Maria Wilson and Jens Lee are lead characters in BWR’s “The Nutcracker.”