Illinois Youth Dance Theatre performs ‘The Nutcracker’

Posted December 17, 2012 11:30 am

Illinois Youth Dance Theatre submission

Dancers perform during Illinois Youth Dance Theatres 2011 production of The Nutcracker. This years production will take place Dec. 21-23 at Lake Zurich High Schools Performing Arts Center. Courtesy of Illinois Youth Dance Theatre

Illinois Youth Dance Theatre will present its 13th annual performances of “The Nutcracker” at Lake Zurich High School’s Performing Arts Center Dec. 21-23.

The full-length ballet features pre-professional junior and senior company members who range in age from 4 to 18 and train at the Center for Ballroom and Dance in Deer Park under the direction of Alyce Keaggy-Brinkmann, artistic director.

Her credentials include dancing professionally for 13 years with The Milwaukee Ballet as a soloist.

“The Nutcracker,” which includes more than 70 local artists, features professional guest artists Ricardo Santos of The Joffrey Ballet, Liam Fitzpatrick of The Chicago Academy of the Performing Arts and Kristin Kaye, a former World Champion Rhythmic Gymnast.

“The Nutcracker,” by Tchaikovsky, tells the story of a young German girl named Marie, who receives a magical gift from her godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer, on Christmas Eve.

The nutcracker toy turns into a Prince after a battle with the Mouse King. The Nutcracker Prince takes Marie on an adventure into The Land of Snow and The Kingdom of Sweets, where snowflakes sparkle, gingerbreads play, and enchanted flowers dazzle the stage with color and movement.

“The Nutcracker” will be performed at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21; 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23, at Lake Zurich High School, 300 Church St., Lake Zurich.

Tickets range from $10 to $25 and can be purchased by visiting www.ballroomanddance.com/iydt-productions.html.

Marlena Brinkmann, 13, of Richmond will dance the part of Marie in Illinois Youth Dance Theatres 2011 production of The Nutcracker. Her mother, Alyce Keaggy-Brinkmann, is the artistic director for the show. Courtesy of Illinois Youth Dance Theatre

Miquella Young, 16, from Lake Zurich will also dance the part of Marie in Illinois Youth Dance Theatres 2011 production of The Nutcracker. Courtesy of Illinois Youth Dance Theatre

Dancers perform during Illinois Youth Dance Theatres 2011 production of The Nutcracker. Courtesy of Illinois Youth Dance Theatre

Marina Halama, 9, from Long Grove plays Emma, Maries younger sister, in The Nutcracker. Courtesy of Illinois Youth Dance Theatre

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