Free Preview Of 'Nutcracker' Ballet Planned In St. Charles

ST. CHARLES, IL — The Norris Cultural Arts Center in St. Charles will host a free open house and preview performance of the "Nutcracker" ballet from 2 to 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 30 at Baker Community Center, 101 S. Second St. Dancers from Engage Dance Theatre will perform brief excerpts from The Nutcracker on the stage of the Baker Community Center auditorium at 2:30, 3:30 and 4:30 p.m.

The Norris Cultural Arts Center will host the event as a community service and to promote its Dec. 21 and 22 performances of The Nutcracker ballet by Engage Dance Theatre in the Norris theater on the campus of St. Charles East High School, according to a news release.

Visitors to the open house will be offered complimentary hot chocolate, apple cider and cookies. The open house event will provide the community a first look at recently installed improvements in the Baker Community Center auditorium, including professional-grade theatrical lighting and sound systems.

The improvements were designed and donated by the Norris Cultural Arts Center, which will present a variety of concerts and events there under an agreement with the St. Charles Park District.

From 3 to 5:30 p.m., the St. Charles History Museum will also host dancers from Engage Dance Theatre who will perform brief Nutcracker excerpts and pose for photos with museum visitors. The city's popular Electric Christmas Parade is planned for 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 30.

• Mark Your Calendar: Electric Christmas Parade Planned for Nov. 30

Nutcracker performance times at The Norris are 1 and 5 p.m. on December 21 and 1 p.m. on December 22. Those interested in purchasing Nutcracker tickets can do so online.

“We are excited to share our Nutcracker production, including Clara, Drosselmeyer, the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Prince, plus a cast of more than 100 dancers performing to Tchaikovsky’s timeless music,” said Courtney Petrocci, artistic director for Engage Dance Theatre in Crystal Lake. “We couldn’t ask for a better setting than the Norris Cultural Arts Center to present this beloved holiday classic, which is sure to enchant audiences of all ages.”