'Nutcracker' lovers are in luck this weekend
It's not necessary to travel to Chicago to see a top-notch performance of “The Nutcracker.”
This weekend in the Fox Valley, four dance studios are staging their versions of the classic holiday ballet, which is based on a book called “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” by E.T.A. Hoffman, and features music by Pyotr Illyich Tchiakovsky.
In its sixth year of performing “The Nutcracker,” Crystal Lake's Berkshire Ballet has special choreography planned.
“We have R&D Choreography (from Chicago) doing the battle scenes,” said Executive Director Victoria Summers. “Audiences can expect robust, dramatic, contact choreography.”
In fact, Summers said, the battle scene, which will feature 5- and 6-year-old mice, might be an audience favorite, along with the ever-popular snow scene, which will feature snow falling onstage.
Other special effects include an eight-foot Christmas tree that grows into a 24-foot tree right in front of audiences' eyes, Summers said.
“Our artistic director, Jennifer Epley-Echols, is wonderful,” Summers said, adding that Epley-Echols comes up with new features every year. The addition of out-of-town professional talent keeps things fresh as well.
“We have two great dancers coming in from Miami,” Summers said. Shows are set for Saturday and Sunday at the Raue Center for the Arts in Crystal Lake.
Geneva's State Street Dance Studio's production of “The Nutcracker” is so popular, the shows — particularly the Sunday performance — are almost sold out, according to choreographer and instructor Ashlie Andersen.
State Street's show will feature a variety of area talent, including a former Joffrey Ballet dancer.
“We have several professional guest artists, and we have open auditions, so (the cast) is not solely State Street (dancers),” Andersen said. “Our cast of more than 100 dancers range from ages 5 to 86.”
Joe Greenberg, 86, of Geneva is the oldest member of the cast, portraying the grandfather in the party scene.
State Street likes to keep its production fresh by doing something “a little new” each year, Andersen said.
“This year we'll have flying, new choreography and costumes, and every audience member gets a little gift,” she said.
As in previous years, the “grand pomp” scene at the end with the prince and Sugar Plum Fairy is sure to be a favorite, Andersen said.
“Little girls love to see (the Sugar Plum Fairy) dance,” Andersen said.
State Street Dance Studio's performances will be at the Norris Cultural Arts Center in St. Charles.
Other area dance companies with performances this weekend are Dancencounter of Geneva, with shows at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre, and Judith Svalander School of Ballet, which performs at the Woodstock Opera House.
Where to see 'The Nutcracker'
State Street Dance
Performances: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18
Where: Norris Cultural Arts Center, 1040 Dunham Road, St. Charles
Tickets: $22-$27
To order tickets: (630) 232-0444; statestreetdancestudio.com
Berkshire Ballet Theatre
Performances: 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17; 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18
Where: Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams, Crystal Lake
Tickets: $19-$25
To order tickets: rauecenter.org
Judith Svalander School of Ballet
Performances: 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17; 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18
Where: Woodstock Opera House, 121 W. Van Buren St., Woodstock
Tickets: $16-$23
To order tickets: (815) 338-5300; woodstockoperahouse.com
DancEncounter
Performances: 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 17-18
Where: Batavia Fine Arts Centre, 1201 W. Wilson St., Batavia
Tickets: $15-$19
To order tickets: (630) 937-8930; bataviafineartscentre.org