The Nutcracker

This production of The Nutcracker is made possible by Patricia M. Kaine.

The Crooked Tree Arts Center School of Ballet returns to the Great Lakes Center for the Arts this season to share the holiday tradition of The Nutcracker with our Northern Michigan community. Featuring stars of Miami City Ballet, Taylor Naturkas and Alexander Peters, this dynamically choreographed show will delight audiences of all ages, exemplifying the magic of local talent and artistry. 

The Nutcracker was first performed in Saint Petersburg in 1892. Our story begins at a lavish party at the home of the Stahlbaums. Their daughter, Clara, receives the most wonderful gift of all from Dr. Drosselmeyer – a wooden Nutcracker. She drifts off to sleep with her doll, then is startled awake when Dr. Drosselmeyer's magic begins bringing toys to life. When the clock strikes midnight, the Mouse Queen and her mischievous mice frighten Clara as toy soldiers and her valiant Nutcracker come to her rescue. The Mouse Queen attacks the Nutcracker, but Clara distracts the Mouse Queen long enough for the Nutcracker to recover and win the battle. The battle leaves the Nutcracker injured, but Dr. Drosselmeyer fixes him once again, magically transforming him into a Prince. The Nutcracker Prince takes Clara on a journey through the Land of the Snow and to the Kingdom of the Sweets, where Clara meets and dances with the most beautiful characters she has ever met. It is all so perfect…but even the most beautiful dream must end. The next morning Clara wakes up with her wooden Nutcracker beside her. Was it all a dream?

Proceeds benefit the CTAC Dance Scholarship Fund.