Nutcracker holiday treat at Niswonger

Van Wert independent/NPAC information

On December 3, Tchaikovsky’s timeless holiday classic, The Nutcracker, comes alive on the stage of the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio.

The Nutcracker will be presented by the Ballet Theatre of Toledo, under the direction of Nigel Burgoine, a graduate of the Royal Ballet School and former principal dancer with the London Festival Ballet.

This classical ballet will thrill audiences of all ages as guest artists from around the country bring the magical holiday classic to life. A live pit orchestra, under the direction of Conductor Lloyd Butler, currently the musical director of the Symphony Orchestra at Ohio Northern University, will present Peter Tchaikovsky’s beautiful music score. Two shows will be presented on December 3: at 2 and 7:30 p.m.

Special features to this year’s Nutcracker presentations will include area dancers Rachel Verville, Selena Witten, Katelyn Welch, Kylie Hohman, Julianne Roop, and Chelsea Taylor, all representing Kim Hohman’s DanceWorks of Van Wert; along with Alanis Laudick, Michelle Stayonovich and Caitlyn O’Connor of The Art Center in Lima; Mallory McMurray, Anna Ruckman and Macy Gehle of Upstage Downtown Dance Theatre in Celina; and Abbey Acerro from Dancer by Gina of Lima. The dancers were selected from more than 50 who auditioned with Burgoine in September and will dance a variety of roles, including Chinese, Russian and Cinnamon chefs.

Another local flavor is added as well when the Van Wert Area Boychoir, under the direction of Brian Anders and Larry Taylor, add vocals for a selection with the orchestra. Members of the choir are Issac Alvarez, Jacob Forwerck, Kaden Hahn, Dakota Hayes, Dylan Hicks, Michael Joseph, Elliott Lloyd, Korey Oechsle, Haydn and Hutch Ridenour, Aaron Ries, Austin Sheets, Thaddeus Simmerman, Killian Sudduth, Jacob Trejo, and Brendan, Brice and Caden Webster.

Include this ballet in family traditions this holiday! Tickets are available now at the box office or online for $12-$32 for both the 2 and 7:30 p.m. shows. The box office is open noon to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday (closed November 24-25 for Thanksgiving) at 10700 Ohio 118 in Van Wert, or by phone 419.238.NPAC (6722). Tickets can also be purchased at anytime online at www.npacvw.org.