The Nutcracker in Orlando

The Nutcracker returns for the holiday season with the Orlando Ballet. Performed by the only professional ballet company in Central Florida, this production shines as brightly as ever with the caliber of performances audiences have come to love and anticipate.

On Christmas Eve, young Clara's family hosts a grand party where she is presented with a Nutcracker by her mysterious Uncle Drosselmeyer. That night, she dreams that her Nutcracker is transformed into a handsome prince who takes her to his kingdom, the Land of Sweets. There, she is entertained with lively and exotic dances from other lands. Flowers come to life and the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier perform a breathtaking pas de dux in Clara's honor. As the dream and the magical land fade into the night, Clara wakes in her own room again to realize that her treasured Nutcracker was what brought her dream to life.

Orlando Ballet will perform The Nutcracker at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre December 11-13 and 17-20, 2009. Curtain is at 7:30pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and at 2:30pm on Sunday matinees.

Additionally, there will be a Family Series performance of The Nutcracker on Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 11:00am. This hour-long, condensed version features all the highlights and is perfect for young audiences. At 10:00am, there will be a series of pre-show activities in the lobby including face-painting, story telling, coloring, photo opportunities with characters from The Nutcracker and basic ballet demonstrations.