Mercer Island 'Nutcracker' Youth Ballet Tradition Continues Dec. 15

Island Youth Ballet and Children’s Dance Conservatory showcase scenes from one of the world’s most cherished holiday classics with “Excerpts from the Nutcracker,” which has become a favorite way for local families to celebrate the holiday season.

The performance debuts Dec. 15. on Youth Theatre Northwest's Main Stage.

Directed by Susan Valencia, founder of Children’s Dance Conservatory, “Excerpts from the Nutcracker” features 48 students between the ages of 6 and 18. The production transports audiences into the magical scenery of Tchaikovsky’s imagination with exquisite costumes, theatrical wizardry, period settings and sophisticated dancing.

Island Youth Ballet's "Excerpts from the Nutcracker" is appropriate for ages 3 and older, and is a great introduction to this seasonal favorite for families, as well as those who already know and love "The Nutcracker."

In Act I, audiences will experience the Party Scene, with the mysterious Herr Drosselmeyer bearing wonderful gifts including the Nutcracker, the Battle Scene between the Nutcracker and the Mouse King, and the beautifully choreographed Waltz of the Snowflakes, complete with "snowflakes" gently swirling and falling onto stage.

Act II places us inside a giant box of candy, in the Kingdom of Sweets, complete with Christmas Tree Angels, the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Coffe-Arabian Dance, and more.

There are two separate casts (Red and Green) performing "Excerpts from the Nutcracker" with the following schedule:

• Dec. 15 at 2 p.m.
• Dec. 16 at 1 p.m.
• Dec. 16 at 5 p.m.
• Dec. 19 at 7 p.m.
• Dec. 20 at 2 p.m. 
• Dec. 20 at 7 p.m.
  

General admission is available for $22 and VIP reserved seating is offered for $35. Tickets may be purchased in advance at www.IYBNutcracker.com. The two-hour performance includes intermission.

For more information about Children’s Dance Conservatory and Island Youth Ballet, visit www.ChildrensDance.org or call 206-275-4750.

There are some VIP seats available in some shows. Island Youth Ballet (IYB) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to sponsor and stage high-quality perfomance opportunities for the students of the Children's Dance Convservatory.