‘The Nutcracker’: Holiday magic

I’m not exactly sure what it is about a ballet that has endeared itself to the Christmas season so much as The Nutcracker has, but it is certainly a tradition families worldwide have included over the years as a must see.  It might be said that The Nutcracker is to the secular Christmas as Messiah is to the sacred Christmas.

With the importance of this ballet to so many family traditions at Christmas time, we felt it was necessary we bring The Nutcracker to the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio for everyone to enjoy.  I remember before the opening of the NPAC thinking of how “cool” it would be for the people of northwest Ohio, and Van Wert specifically, to be able to attend a professional production of The Nutcracker right here in our own neighborhood.  For years, families would pack their kids in the car and make a holiday trip to the big city just so they could make cherished Christmas memories by seeing a Nutcracker production.  Now, people are coming to Van Wert to see the Ballet Theatre of Toledo’s production on our stage.

This Saturday, December 3, we will present not just one, but two performances of The Nutcracker.  We specifically wanted a 2 p.m. matinee as well as the traditional 7:30 p.m. performance, thinking this would allow families flexibility with their Christmas plans.  If we had planned on only the one show, we would be sold out and have a waiting list, but with two shows, we still have some seats available for either one.  So, if you haven’t made plans for this Saturday, I hope you can include The Nutcracker.

The ballet was performed at the Valentine Theatre in Toledo this past weekend and some local residents saw it and gave rave reviews!  The backdrops and costumes are beautiful and of course the live music created by a 30-piece pit orchestra adds even more excitement to the performance.

If you or any of your family members are not familiar with the story of The Nutcracker, I would encourage you to read the story.  It will help make the performance even more enjoyable.  When you arrive in the performance hall, take a few moments to read the program and discover more about the story of The Nutcracker as well as the biographies of the performers.

We are so pleased to work with the Ballet Theatre of Toledo to make this happen in Van Wert.  It is a dream come true. We can thank First Bank of Berne and The Times-Bulletin for helping sponsor these shows. I also need to thank local dance instructor Kim Hohman for her marvelous work and assistance in the production.  The Ballet Theatre of Toledo has been singing her praises for her efforts in involving some local dancers, not only from her studio, but others as well. Thanks Kim!

Tickets start at just $12 for a balcony seat. Hopefully, this will allow many to be able to attend and enjoy this great Holiday experience. I hope to see many families and grand children with grand parents at our shows this Saturday. What memories we will have to share and cherish by saying we saw The Nutcracker right here in Van Wert at Christmas time!

There are still some tickets available for Kenny G’s second Christmas show on Wednesday, December 7, as well as the Skaggs Family Christmas show on December 11, although we are approaching a sellout.  So don’t delay!  Christmas will be here and gone before we know it and I don’t want you to miss out on some great experiences at the NPAC.