DANCE | Dreamy ballet

Springfield Ballet Company’s 38th annual production of The Nutcracker is Dec. 8-9 at the Sangamon Auditorium, UIS. One performance is slated for each day with an additional evening show on Saturday, Dec. 8. Set to Tchaikovsky’s enchanting score, The Nutcracker is a timeless holiday classic that follows Clara and her Nutcracker from a lavish Christmas party to a fierce battle with the evil Mouse King, then to a magical journey through the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets. The production features a cast of 130, including children and adults from the Springfield area, Company members and incredible guest artists. Company member, Jocelyn Fuhr, dances the role of Clara, with Carolina Ballet Theatre guest danseur Peter Base as her Nutcracker Prince. Other guest dancers from CBT are Francesca Genovese as the delicate Sugar Plum Fairy; Samuel Chester as her Cavalier; Erica Wesselman (former SBC dancer) and Martin Justo, who will dance the roles Snow Queen and King; and Chicago-based dancer Todd Kiech as the Arabian Coffee.