By Cristina Planas….
A Nutcracker doll will come alive, a Sugar Plum Fairy will dance, snowflakes will fall and smiles from children of all ages will rain down as the Miami City Ballet (MCB) presents its enchanting holiday production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, Dec. 17-23, in celebration of Miami City Ballet’s 25th Anniversary Season.
As an added treat, Miami City Ballet School students will perform with MCB’s internationally acclaimed dancers.
Based on the story The Nutcracker and The Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffmann, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker is a captivating tale of a little girl’s Christmas Eve dream about a handsome prince, a mouse king, toy soldiers and dancers from faraway lands. It all is set to the beloved music of Peter Tchaikovsky, and brought to life by a cast of more than 100 dancers and children.
Nothing short of a Broadway spectacular, the production features glorious sets, lavish costumes like the ones worn by the Arabian and Chinese dancers, magical special effects such as a Christmas tree that soars from 12 to 30 feet tall, and fanciful choreography that takes the spectator on a magical journey to the Land of Sweets.
With its sumptuous décor and dazzling character dance numbers, Miami City Ballet’s production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker is a must-see holiday extravaganza for everyone young and old — children, parents and grandparents.
Performances at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., are: Friday, Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 18, 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 19, 2 p.m.; Tuesday, Dec. 21, 7:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Dec. 22, 7:30 p.m., and Thursday, Dec. 23, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets range in price from $19.75 to $65 and are available at the MCB box office by phone at 305-929-7010 or toll-free at 1-877-929-7010 or in person at 2200 Liberty Ave., Miami Beach, Monday through Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Select your own seat online 24/7 at www.miamicityballet.org.
