THE NUTCRACKER Returns to The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts

A glorious holiday tradition returns to Worcester when The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts presents its annual production of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker, Thanksgiving weekend, November 23 through November 25. Tickets are now on sale to members and go on sale to the public Tuesday, July 10 at 10 a.m.

This spectacular treat for the whole family kicks off the holiday season with a full-sized, live orchestra. Richard Duckett of the Telegram & Gazette described the production as "a significant artistic occasion."

The Nutcracker is a two-act ballet based on the stories of E.T.A. Hoffmann and Alexandre Dumas and was first performed in Russia in December, 1892. The story revolves around Clara, a young girl who receives a nutcracker doll as a Christmas gift and enters a magical world where the nutcracker and other characters come to life.

"This magical production always satisfies," director of dance Jennifer Agbay said. "It prides itself on tradition, classical dance, beautiful scenery, live orchestral music and the belief that dreams really do come true!"

Tickets to The Nutcracker start at $32. Discounts are available to members of The Hanover Theatre, students and groups of 10 or more. Tickets are available online at TheHanoverTheatre.org, by phone at 877.571.SHOW (7469) or at The Hanover Theatre box office located at 2 Southbridge Street in downtown Worcester. For more information on group sales, contact Daniella Marie at 508.471.1763 or daniella@thehanovertheatre.org.

The Hanover Theatre continues to draw over 197,000 patrons annually with world-class performances and headlining acts including Broadway hits ("Les Misérables," "Kinky Boots"), comedians (Dave Chappelle, Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld), musical acts (Neil Young, Aretha Franklin, John Legend, Tony Bennett) and everything in between ("A Christmas Carol," Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Alton Brown, Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson). POLLSTAR consistently ranks The Hanover Theatre as one of the Top Theatres in the World. After nine seasons, the award-winning, historic theatre continues to establish its place as a world-class performing arts venue, acting as a catalyst for the economic development of downtown Worcester. The Hanover Theatre's recently acquired 551 Main Street houses new function space, offices, rental space for a restaurant on the ground floor and The Hanover Theatre Conservatory for the Performing Arts on the lower level.

Worcester Center for Performing Arts, a registered not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, owns and operates The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.