Seeing a quality 'Nutcracker' on the cheap
For many people "The Nutcracker" is as much a part of the holidays as Christmas trees and candy canes.
A tough economy doesn't change that. These people just need to see that famous ballet about Christmas Eve in the Stahlbaum house, when old toy maker Herr Drosselmeyer dropped by with presents for the family, including an ornate handmade nutcracker doll for his goddaughter, Clara.
But instead of spending hundreds watching a professional Chicago production, you can check out a show in the suburbs at a fraction of the cost.
One of those companies is at the Schaumburg Prairie Center, which is producing 10 "Nutcrackers" through Dec. 14. Tickets are $26 for adults and $18 for seniors and students.
"We're offering a quality production that's affordable," said Camille Baranchik, co-artistic director. "You can't get that downtown."
It could cost a family of four between $238 and $318 to watch a "Nutcracker" ballet in Chicago - not including gas or parking. It will cost the same family of four $88 to watch Schaumburg's "Nutcracker" where parking is free, she said.
The village of Schaumburg has been putting on "The Nutcracker" since 1995. This year, there are more than 100 cast members. Some are professional dancers while others are amateurs from the suburbs, said Rob Pileckis, the show's production supervisor.
"Traditionally, the Sunday and Saturday matinees are the most crowded," Pileckis said. "The evening shows are a little less attended."
The shows will be held at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Dec. 7; 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 12; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 13; and 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Dec. 14. All shows are at the Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, in Schaumburg.
Or order tickets, go do www.prairiecenter.org or call (847) 895-3600 during regular business hours.
Barrington: Barrington Youth Dance Ensemble's 14th annual full length production, 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at Barrington High School, 616 W. Main St., Barrington. $25 adults; $22 children, students, seniors; $28 for preferred seating. All tickets $25 at the door. Tickets at Barrington Dance Academy, 758 W. Northwest Hwy., Barrington. Box office: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-noon Saturday. (847) 382-6333.
Bartlett: "The Nutcracker All Jazzed Up 2008:" 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7; 7 p.m. Dec. 12; 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 13, at the Bartlett Community Center, 700 S. Bartlett Road. Local dancers perform to Tchaikovsky's musical score reorchestrated for jazz, ballet, reggae and rock. $7; reserved seats only. Tickets at the Bartlett Community Center registration counter.
Lake Forest: North Shore School of Dance's 20th annual performance, 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at Lake Forest High School's Raymond Moore Auditorium, 1285 N. McKinley Road, Lake Forest. $20; $14 seniors/kids. (847) 432-2060.
Lake Zurich: Illinois Youth Dance Theatre presents, at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at Lake Zurich High School's Performing Arts Center, 300 Church St. $25. (815) 675-9359 for tickets.
Libertyville: Dancenter North's 20th edition of the Tchaikovsky classic. At 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, Libertyville High School, 708 W. Park Ave., Libertyville; at 3 p.m. Dec. 13 and 14, at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $12-$20. Libertyville High School, (847) 367-7970; Genesee Theater, (847) 406-3152. Special school performances at 9:15 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Genesee Theatre - an abbreviated version tailored to younger children. School groups can get a special rate through Laura McIntyre at the Genesee Theatre, (847) 406-3155.
Rosemont: Moscow Ballet's touring version of "The Great Russian Nutcracker" at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. 3 and 7 p.m. Dec. 14. $26-$86. (312) 559-1212.
Skokie: The Civic Ballet of Chicago's production features Ruth Page's full-length staging. 3 p.m. Dec. 13 and 14, at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. $34. (847) 673-6300 or centreeast.org.
St. Charles: The Arlington Heights-based Midwest Dance Arts production, one show only, at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $15. (630) 587-8400.