Schaumburg Dance Ensemble celebrates 25 years of 'Nutcracker'
Featuring professional dancers and a cast of more than 100 area student and adult performers, the Schaumburg Dance Ensemble's production of "The Nutcracker" brings to life a fantasy world of dancing snowflakes, leaping Russians and battling mice, enhanced by dazzling costumes, breathtaking choreography and live narration.
The 2019 run holds special significance for the dance company, marking its 25th anniversary production of the holiday ballet. Over the years, the production has become a treasured holiday tradition for audiences and cast alike; some of the professional dancers have performed with the company since childhood.
"One of our professionals, Amanda Hickey, quickly danced her way from the role of a party girl to Clara, and now, in perhaps the most anticipated moment in the ballet, she appears as the Sugar Plum Fairy," says Michele Leslie Holzman, who has headed the Schaumburg Dance Ensemble since its inception back in 1995.
"Watching dancers learn and grow along with the production has been one the most fulfilling aspects of directing."
"The Nutcracker" is directed by Alberto Arias, Michele Leslie Holzman and Lisa Sheppard.
Tickets for the show, which runs through Dec. 15, range in price from $17-$30 and can be ordered at www.prairiecenter.org or by calling (847) 895-3600.
All performances will take place at the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. The Prairie Center is owned and operated by the village of Schaumburg.
"The Nutcracker" is sponsored by the Prairie Center Arts Foundation.
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