Civic Ballet of Chicago presents 'The Nutcracker' at CLC
Local productions of “The Nutcracker” are being performed throughout Lake County in December, but for the third year in a row, the Civic Ballet of Chicago will bring its one-of-a-kind production to the College of Lake County's James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts in Grayslake. Three shows will be presented: Saturday, Dec. 18 at 1 and 5 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 19 at 3 p.m.
The Civic Ballet has re-created Ruth Page's beloved original full-length staging of “The Nutcracker” featuring choreography inspired by the experience of Larry Long and Dolores Lipinski. Presented until 1997 in the Arie Crown Theatre, this holiday classic is known nationally for its dramatization and beauty. “The Nutcracker” features superb dancing, amazing costumes and magical settings.
“With sold-out performances in 2008 and 2009, we are thrilled to once again present the Civic Ballet of Chicago at the James Lumber Center,” said Gwethalyn J. Bronner, executive director of the James Lumber Center. “It's truly a holiday favorite for all ages. Our young patrons (and those who are young at heart) especially enjoy the hot chocolate and photo opportunities in the lobby with favorite characters like the Mouse King after the performance.”
The Civic Ballet was founded by Dolores Lipinski and her husband Larry Long (he died in August 2009). They are known in Chicago for directing the Ruth Page, Chicago Tribune Charities Nutcracker at the Arie Crown Theater in Chicago for 31 years, and founding the Ruth Page Foundation School in Chicago. The company's website is civic-ballet.com.
General admission tickets are $21, $23 and $28; children under age 12 are $13 and CLC students are $16. Prices include a $1 per ticket JLC facility fee. Tickets are discounted for CLC staff, seniors 65 and over and members of the CLC Alumni Association.
Tickets are available at the CLC Box Office in the James Lumber Center on the Grayslake Campus, 19351 W. Washington St. or by calling (847) 543-2300. Online tickets are sold at clcillinois.edu/tickets. Discounts are available for groups of six or more. For group sales information, call (847) 543-2431 or send an e-mail to clcboxoffice@clcillinois.edu.
The James Lumber Center is offering a new midseason subscription offer for professional touring season events. Patrons who purchase tickets to two different events out of the seven remaining events will save 10 percent off single ticket prices. Patrons who purchase tickets to three or more different events will save 15 percent off single ticket prices. For information, contact the CLC Box Office at (847) 543-2300.
Following “The Nutcracker” on Dec. 18 and 19, the remainder of the James Lumber Center's 2010-2011 Professional Touring Season includes Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago on Jan. 28; Golden Dragon Acrobats on Feb. 12; Switchback (Brian FitzGerald and Martin McCormack) on March 15; Get the Led Out, The American Led Zeppelin on March 25 and The Four Bitchin' Babes Present “Diva Nation … Where Music, Laughter and Girlfriends Reign” on May 7.