HICKORY — Generations of families celebrate the Christmas season with a special trip to see The Nutcracker ballet, spending time together and creating wonderful holiday memories. Hickory Ballet and Performing Arts (HB&PA) will help continue that tradition as it presents the much-loved classic at The Green Room Community Theatre at The Old Post Office Playhouse in Newton on December 14, 15 and 16. Additionally, 16 HB&PA Pre-professional Youth company members will be performing onstage with the Moscow Ballet company on December 23 at Ovens Auditorium in Charlotte.
“Our students are very excited to present The Nutcracker for audiences during the holiday season,” says HB&PA Executive Director Leanna Bodnar. “The beautiful and timeless music of Tchaikovsky brings to life the story of Clara and the Nutcracker and features wonderful scenes like the Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy. We are especially excited that sixteen of our Pre-professional Youth Ballet members auditioned and were cast in Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker.”
HBPA students of all ages will present four performances of the Nutcracker at the Green Room in Newton, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, December 14, and Saturday, December 15, and at 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 15, and Sunday, December 16. Tickets are available through The Green Room, online at www.thegreenroomtheatre.org or at the door. Early purchase is encouraged as the popular ballet always sells out.
The Newton performances will feature professional ballet dancer Anthony Sweighardt dancing with the HB&PA Pre-Professional Youth Ballet company. He was trained at Hickory Ballet Academy (now HB&PA), and has danced with Charlotte Ballet and Tucson Ballet.
The HB&PA Pre-professional Youth company members will be performing onstage with the Russian company on December 23 at Ovens Auditorium in Charlotte. Tickets are available at www.ovensauditorium.com.
HB&PA offers a full schedule of classes. Visit www.hickoryballetpa.com or call (828) 328-3794 for additional information. The studios are located inside Foothills Gymnastics, 920 29th Ave NE, Hickory.