Ithaca Ballet’s Nutcracker returns to the State Theatre Dec. 12 to 14

Magical toys, dancing snowflakes and belly dancers, with visions of sugarplums dancing on the stage! It must be time for the holiday tradition of the Ithaca Ballet’s Nutcracker! The Nutcracker will be at the State Theatre Friday, December 12 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 13 at 3 p.m., and Sunday, December 14th at 3 p.m.

There are 70-plus dancers in the Nutcracker, key dancing roles from the Ithaca Ballet company but many are guest dancers from the Ithaca community and beyond, with many guest children who train with the Ballet Center of Ithaca. This year, the role of Clara is being played by Dorothy Minas, the Nutcracker by Richard Huxtable, Snow Queen and King by Azemia Lashley and Jacob Taylor, Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier danced by featured guest artist Sonia Dvorak guest dancer Darwin Black in Geneva and Azamat Asangul in Ithaca (Dec. 12-14 at the State
Theatre).

Sonia Dvorak started dancing at the Ithaca Ballet but went on to a professional career and most recently was a soloist in the Vienna State Ballet.

In the gorgeous Waltz of the Flowers, Azemia Lashley dances the role of the Dewdrop Fairy.

Finally, Brian Hall and Wayne Van Camp return in the roles of the magical Herr Drosselmeyer
and the comical Mouse King respectively. Cindy Reid is the Artistic Director of the Ithaca Ballet.

Choreographed by Lavinia Reid, the Ithaca Ballet’s Nutcracker is a treat for the whole family and a Finger Lakes tradition. The Nutcracker is truly a team effort and a community treasure. Children of all ages will delight in Clara’s victory over the mice and her voyage to the Land of Sweets.

Tickets are available at the State Theatre box office, online at https://stateofithaca.org/ or by calling 277-8283. This year’s performances are supported by sponsors , Beginnings Community Credit Union, Contemporary Trends, Hotel Ithaca, Skin2Soul, Wegmans, and WSKG. Apprentice sponsors include Tompkins County Financial Guthrie, Ithaca Child, Kendal at Ithaca, Mariette Geldenhuys, attorney, Monsour Jewelers.

Barre LineSponsors: The Antlers, Centrallus Health, Damiani Wine Cellars, Guthrie, Hickeys Music Store, Ithaca College School of Music and Dance, Shalestone Vineyards, Sprague & Jackson, TheStrebel Group,

For more information: www.ithacaballet.org.