Local companies to present 'Nutcracker'

For many area residents and visitors, it isn't Christmas without making the annual voyage through the Land of Snow and into the Land of Sweets.

This season, two local ballet companies will take audience members on that very voyage with their versions of “The Nutcracker.” Both performances will take place at the Snider Auditorium, 400 S. 6th Ave.

Yuma Ballet Theatre will present the first production with “The Nutcracker Odyssey” this weekend: Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

“Please help support this local non-profit dance company as we put on our 33rd annual production of the holiday season,” said Carolyn Miller, YBT board member.

VIP tickets are $20, and general admission tickets, $15. Tickets for children, military, seniors and students are $12.

Tickets are available at Kohl's, 1350 S. Castle Dome Ave., and Dancer's Workshop, 80 S. 4th Ave., Suite I. For more information, email YBTDance@gmail.com or call 341-1925.

Ballet Yuma will present “The Nutcracker” the following weekend: Dec. 7 at 7 p.m., Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Dec. 9 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $12, $17 and $22 and available at Dillard's in the Yuma Palms Mall, 1461 S. Yuma Palms Parkway. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Choreographed by the company's co-directors Jon Cristofori and Kathleen Sinclair, Ballet Yuma's production of “The Nutcracker” has been presented to Yuma residents for more than 20 years.

The production will feature company dancers along with children from local dance studios and adults from the community.

This year's performances will also include two guest artists, Ballet Yuma alumni Crystal Brothers, currently dancing with Ballet Memphis, and Ballet Yuma alumni Keely Misenhimer, currently dancing with Missouri Contemporary Ballet.

The production will also include three male guest artists: Geoff Gonzalez of City Ballet of San Diego, Steven McMahon of Ballet Memphis, and Yuma Ballet Academy alumni Frank Amparo, owner of Bien Suave Dance Company.

The production will include “vivid scenery that is hallmarked by a magical growing Christmas Tree that fills the stage, beautifully hand-stitched costumes and an outstanding lighting design by Bill Kickbush,” according to the company's announcement.

Even before the curtain rises, patrons will experience “the magic that is The Nutcracker” through Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky's famous musical score.

Audiences will join Clara as she falls asleep and dreams of her Nutcracker Prince. And then they will follow them on an adventure through the Land of Snow and the Land of Sweets. Along the way, many colorful characters will honor Clara with intricate dances.

Both ballet companies invite Yumans to the experience the classic production, as Snider Auditorium is transformed into a “magical holiday wonderland.”