The performance will be a collaboration between the Ruth Page School of Dance in Chicago, Illinois, featuring guest artists from Cubas National School of Ballet, along with dancers from The Conservatory and Theatre and Dance, as well as younger dancers from the southeast Missouri area, said Bob Cerchio, assistant director of Southeasts Earl and Margie Holland School of Visual and Performing Arts.
It is an amazing opportunity for the University and young artists to collaborate with the Ruth Page School of Dance and augment their production with our own, he said. Its always fun to work with local talent in producing this stunningly beautiful ballet.
This classic ballet begins in the beautifully decorated house as Fritz and Clara are taken on a fantastic adventure where toys come to life. They are joined by the Nutcracker, the Mouse King, the Sugar Plum Fairy, Russian Dolls and a host of other life-size toys. As the journey ends, Clara wakes up with her toy Nutcracker still in her arms.
The Nutcracker Ballet will be one of the highlights of the season, Cerchio said. It will be an exciting and beautiful way to celebrate the Christmas season.
The Ruth Page Center for the Arts carries forward the mission and vision of its founder, legendary dance icon Ruth Page, to be a platform for developing great artists and connecting them with audiences and community. With a focus on dance as a critical art form, its programming ensures that children and dance artists have a place to train, work and perform at the highest level of excellence.
Tickets
Tickets may be purchased by contacting the River Campus Box Office, located in the Cultural Arts Center, 518 S. Fountain St., weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., by calling (573) 651-2265, or online at RiverCampus.org.