The Nutcracker Family Series

Volusia Civic Ballet will present a condensed narrated Family Series version of the “The Nutcracker” ballet on Saturday, Dec 5. It is suitable for audiences with special needs, all levels of mobility, and families with young children. The Family Series is just under one hour and provides a memorable holiday experience with several vignettes from Act I and a full Act II. The Family Series show will be without the guest artists. Only the full two-act shows on Saturday evening and Sunday matinee will have the guest artists from Boston Ballet.

The always highly anticipated Children’s Sugar Plum Tea is offered as an add-on. The Saturday's Family Series will have one Tea before and a second Tea after the show. Children and adults who purchase the Tea will enjoy sweet confections and other holiday treats in a fairytale atmosphere with beautifully decorated trees and tables. A few of our Nutcracker characters will make an appearance to pose for photos to enhance the holiday experience. Children’s Sugar Plum Tea tickets are $25 per person as an add-on. Tickets are available to children and accompanying adults; however, tickets are limited due to space limitation.

Performances:

• Saturday, Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. (Family Series without guest artists)

Children’s Sugar Plum Tea add-on (for children and accompanying adults):

• Saturday, Dec. 5 at 12:30 pm (show ticket and Tea ticket required)

• Saturday, Dec. 5 at 3:30 p.m. (show ticket and Tea ticket required)

The cast of over 90 performers in this magnificent production comes from participating dance studios across Central Florida, with choreography produced by eight choreographers from multiple studios.

Set to the classical music of the Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, the story comes alive when a young girl Clara, performed by Maya Bower, receives a magical Nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve from her mysterious magician godfather Herr Drosselmeyer, played by Patrick Springwood. Drosselmeyer’s young Apprentice, played by Ralph Medley, befriends Clara and protects her from her naughty young brother Fritz, played by Stone Childers and from his rowdy friends.

As she drifts asleep, in her dream a battle ensues between the army of mice led by the Mouse King, played by Matthew Chorum, and by the Mouse Queen, played by Gabriela Palmer, against the army of toy soldiers led by her beloved Nutcracker, played by Ralph Medley. As Clara helps the Nutcracker to overthrow the Mouse Queen and the Mouse King, a spell is broken. The Nutcracker is transformed back into a Prince who looks just like her protector Apprentice. To thank Clara for her bravery, the Prince takes her on a journey through an enchanted Snow Forest where they meet a majestic Snow Queen, played by Kelsey Kling, and a North Star, played by Adelyn Childers.

Traveling through the swirling snowflakes, Clara and her Prince arrive to the Kingdom of Sweets. The beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy performed by Allyson Ploeser greets them with sweet confections from exotic lands of Arabia, Spain, Russia, France, and China. The exquisite Dew Drop played by Sara Biskup enchants Clara and the Prince with the magnificent Waltz of the Flowers.

During the performances, the Peabody lobby will be transformed into a quaint German village. Patrons can purchase unique Nutcracker gifts from the Drosselmeyer’s Magical Toy Shop and indulge in sweet delights from the breathtaking Kingdom of Sweets Shoppe. The on-line silent auction will once again showcase the unique items in the lobby available for bidding.