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Enjoy Studio K’s Annual Performance of ‘The Nutcracker’ at the Schaefer Center Dec. 12

Information  from theschaefercenter.org.

If the music sounds sweeter than sugarplums, the dancers seem lighter than air, and the snowflakes sparkle more brightly than ever before, you are not dreaming, but you have escaped into the magical holiday classic ballet The Nutcracker, by Tchaikovsky. The holiday season would not be complete without this festive tradition performed by Studio K Youth Ballet Company.the-nutcracker-2015-600_2

Catch the performance at 3 p.m. or at 7 p.m. on Dec. 12 in the Schaefer Center for Performing Arts on the campus of Appalachian State University. Tickets are $14 for adults and $8 for children/students under 18 for the performances.

The Nutcracker is a magical story of a young girl, Clara, whose toy nutcracker transforms into a brave prince and takes her on a journey into the Land of Snow and Sweets on Christmas Eve.

A cast of over 300 local dancers bring Clara’s dazzling holiday fairy tale to life. Throughout the show, the stage sparkles with playful mice, a court of soldiers, guardian angels, graceful snowflakes, waltzing flowers, precious bonbons, party guests, ginger kids, and sugar plums. It is every little (and big) girl’s dream to dance in The Nutcracker. The show is a wonderful way for families to start off the Christmas season. From the hundreds of glamorous costumes and colorful backdrops to the amazing growing Christmas tree and enchanting snowfall, this show takes the audience on an extraordinary journey to far away lands.

Director Cay Harkins thinks of the production fondly, as a labor of love, saying, “I am so very blessed to be surrounded by such passionate dancers. The entire company looks forward to returning to rehearsals in September and works tirelessly right up to opening night. It’s always very sad to watch the curtain close on the last performance. The Nutcracker is a wonderful tradition for Studio K, and as with most traditions, you need friends and family to share in the joy with. Our company is most definitely a family.”

Many of the ballerinas at Studio K cannot remember a Christmas without performing in The Nutcracker. Each year as the young ballerinas mature, they progress to the next level of corps de ballet beginning as little Bonbons and striving for the role of Sugar Plum Fairy. This year features several “third generation” dancers as well as mother/daughter pairs in the performance and some of the original ballerinas who were in the first Nutcracker in 1985.

Call 828-262-4046 or go online to theschaefercenter.org for tickets.