It?s one of the best dreams you?ll ever have with your eyes open.
And you can have it over and over again.
The holiday classic “The Nutcracker” can be seen in all its sugarplum glory in various forms all over town.
The Harford Ballet Company will present three performances, featuring special guests Dede Barfield and David Krensing of the Pennsylvania Ballet.
“It?s so child-friendly and simplistic in its appeal, it has such an innocence to it,” said Pamela Villaneuve, Harford Ballet Company director. “And the music, it?s just so invigorating, it grabs anybody.”
HBC is asking its audience for donations of children?s gifts for the Empty Stocking Fund, an organization that helps provide gifts for underprivileged children of Harford County. Children will be invited on stage during the performance to place their gifts under Clara?s enchanted Christmas tree.
“There?s something about ?The Nutcracker,? it?s wonderful for the art of ballet, it?s such a cornerstone for the art form,” Villaneuve said. “It appeals to the child within all of us.”
The Columbia Figure Skating Club will present “The Nutcracker on Ice” in four performances this weekend.
“When we first started, we didn?t have much money,” said Pat Muth, head choreographer and artistic director. “But it?s grown so tremendously. We started out with 29 people [at inception in 1988], and now I have 139 people.”
Seven national skaters will be performing in the show as well.
“The most amazing thing to be is that we have created something like this in six weeks,” Muth said of the short rehearsal time. “Unbelievable skating occurs, and the skaters are as good as any professional. It?s worth the money to take the family out.”
Other performances of “The Nutcracker” are happening at other Baltimore area venues throughout the month of December.
“In our times today when life can be tough, [ballet is] a fantasy that takes you away from the dulldrums of everyday living in a positive way,” Villaneuve said.
Catch a performance
» Baltimore Ballet presents “The Nutcracker” at Goucher College?s Kraushaar Auditorium, located at 1021 Dulaney Valley Road in Baltimore. Performances are Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m. and Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $12 to $18. Call 410-667-7974 or online at baltimoreballet.com.
» The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre presents “The Nutcracker” at the Hippodrome Theatre, located at 12 N. Eutaw St. in Baltimore. Performances are Dec. 28 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 29 and 30 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 31 at noon and 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $29 to $79. Call 410-837-7400.
» The Columbia Figure Skating Club presents “The Nutcracker on Ice” at the Columbia Ice Rink, located at 5876 Thunder Hill Road in Columbia. Performances are Dec. 9 at 3 and 4:30 p.m. and Dec. 10 at 4:30 and 6 p.m. Tickets are $9. Call 410-813-4026.
» The Harford Ballet Company presents “The Nutcracker” at Aberdeen High School, located at 251 Paradise Road in Aberdeen. Performance dates are Dec. 16 at 1 and 7 p.m. and Dec. 17 at 1 p.m. Tickets are $14 to $16. Call 410-877-3281 or online at harfordballetcompany.org.
» Centennial High School presents “The Nutcracker” at Centennial High School, located at 4300 Centennial Lane in Ellicott City. Performances are on Dec. 7 and 8 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10. Call 410-313-2856.
» Moscow Ballet presents “The Great Russian Nutcracker” at the Lyric Opera House, located at 140 W. Mount Royal Ave. in Baltimore. Performances are on Dec. 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 23 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 to $63. Online at nutcracker.com.
