'The Nutcracker' Returns to Largo

Visions of the Sugarplum Fairy and dancing toy soldiers will appear at the  this weekend in the holiday classic The Nutcracker.

When Brittany Betts, 18, of Palm Harbor takes the stage this holiday season as the Snow Queen, she will be in her eighth season of performing The Nutcracker.

“I started ballet when my mom threw me into it as a little kid," Betts said. "I continued because I love being on stage, doing something for fun. … The Nutcracker is a real good Christmas ballet, and it's something everyone in the community can come see. My favorite scene is (the snow scene) being in white. It’s like perfect with the snow coming down.”

Dancing in the snow scene with Betts is professional guest artist Alexis Mercado, 31. For him, the challenging part of The Nutcracker is also fun.

“I have to be able to go back to my childhood and open my mind to be a prince or a soldier," Mercado said. "You have to allow yourself to be more playful. The Nutcracker is fun.”

The ballet tells the story of Clara and her nutcracker doll given to her by her Godfather Drosselmeyer. After the holiday party, she sneaks down to retrieve her doll, and her magical journey begins including a giant Christmas tree, dancing fairies and a snow blizzard.

More than 50 community members will perform in The Nutcracker. Auditions were open to anyone, and the cast includes Tampa Bay area residents ranging from age 3 to 60-something.

Bay City Ballet Artistic Director Mark Jelks created the production in 1981 for his dance studio in New Jersey. The dancers practice and rehearse at Bay City Ballet in Palm Harbor, Jelks said.

“We do a full theatrical treatment of The Nutcracker," Jelks said. "We use the same snow-making process as in the New York City ballet. The 40-foot tree is full scale with branches. I think [The Nutcracker] should be a holiday staple in every family. We make it available and affordable. We offer group rates.”

Guest artists include Robert Rosario from New York as Prince Cavalier, Alexis Mercado from Washington, D.C., as Snow Cavalier and David Rowell from Vermont as Godfather Drosselmeyer.

If You Go

What: Bay City Ballet presents The Nutcracker

When: 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 6 p.m. Sunday 

Where: Largo Cultural Center, 105 Central Park Drive, Largo

Tickets: Call the box office 727-587-6793 or go to www.largoarts.com.

Cost: $25 VIP, $22 advance, $25 day of show, $18 group of 10 or more, $20 students (12 or younger)