Dance Prism is Bringing The Nutcracker to a Theater Near You!

Dance Prism, one of New England’s most recognized touring ballet companies, announces its 33rd season of The Nutcracker, with performances in Fall River, Littleton, Sudbury, Worcester and Andover MA from November 29 to December 20. Its production of the beloved tale of a child’s fantasy features lively choreography, Tchaikovsky’s exquisite score, and the traditional delights of the holiday classic. Young audience members are invited to meet Clara and the Nutcracker Prince and the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier following all performances.

The performance follows Clara’s magical journey from a traditional 19th century Christmas party through a fantastic battle of toy soldiers and giant mice and a voyage through the ethereal kingdom of Snow, arriving finally at the Land of the Sugarplum Fairy where sweets from all lands come to life and dance in her honor. The strains of Tchaikovsky’s familiar music accompany a growing Christmas tree, a reindeer drawn sleigh amidst a swirling snowstorm, and the clash of swords as a menacing Rat King battles the valiant Nutcracker Prince. More than 350 imaginative costumes, many new this season, enhance a cast of 140 that includes the professional dancers and apprentices of the company as well as aspiring ballet students drawn from state-wide open auditions.

The production is designed to offer families an affordable, high quality professional production, according to Dance Prism’s Artistic Director, Mary Demaso. The company’s mission since its inception has been to make the experience of the performing arts truly accessible to New England communities. Demaso says that the considerable challenges of operating as a touring company are more than balanced by the often transfixed expressions of young audience members who are able to see the performance from a comparatively close range and then meet Clara or the Sugarplum Fairy. “There really is an element of magic to Nutcracker,” she says, “for the children in the audience, for our dancers, some of whom return annually from New York, Florida, Pennsylvania, Maine for performances, even for me as I watch the production materialize each day in a new theater and dancers morph into fantastic Mice or Flowers or Snowflakes.”

Tickets are priced at $20 for children and seniors, $26 for adults; generous group discounts are offered. Seating is reserved; handicapped seating is available and easily accessible. For all performances, tickets are available online at www.danceprism.com or at 978-371-1038.

Dates/Locations:

Fall River

Bristol Community College

Sunday, Nov. 29, 1:00 & 5:00 pm

Sudbury

Rogers/Kirshner Theater, LSRHS

390 Lincoln Rd, Sudbury

Sunday Dec. 6, 1:00 & 5:00 pm

Littleton

Littleton Performing Arts Center

Saturday, Dec. 12, 2:30 & 6:30 pm

Worcester

Mechanics Hall

Sunday, Dec. 13-, 1:00 & 5:00 pm

Andover

The Collins Center

Saturday, Dec. 19, 2:30 & 6:30 pm

Sunday, Dec. 20, 2:30 pm