Berkshire Ballet Theatre to Bring Reimagined NUTCRACKER Ballet to Raue Center

Raue Center For The Arts is excited to announce Berkshire Ballet Theatre will present a brand new interpretation of "The Nutcracker" ballet on December 17-18, 2016.

Newly appointed Artistic Director of the Berkshire Ballet Theatre and Summers Academy of Dance, Courtney Kramer Petrocci, has beautifully reimagined this classic holiday tradition. This spectacular production weaves professional caliber choreography into the classic narrative created by ETA Hoffman. Audience members will be moved to leap from their seats to battle the Rat King and his horde of mice, have a snowball fight with Clara and a family of snowmen in the Land of Snow and Ice, and of course, dance along with the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier (danced by Mrs. Petrocci and her husband Marc Petrocci, both professional dancers formerly with the Milwaukee Ballet).

This spectacular production involves 134 costumes, over 120 performers from Berkshire Ballet Theatre and Summers Academy of Dance, 41 pairs of pointe shoes, 25 pounds of wintery snow, 2 local personalities from Williams Street Repertory, and of course, 1 very special Nutcracker! These elements come together to create a truly enchanting journey through ETA Hoffman's classic narrative of "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King."

Showtimes are 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on December 17 and 3 p.m. on December 18. Tickets start at $28 and can be purchased online at rauecenter.org or via the Box Office at 815.356.9212 or 26 N. Williams Street in downtown Crystal Lake.

Raue Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts. For 15 years, they have provided quality programming - striving to make it pertinent, available and affordable to all. As a painstakingly restored, 1920s regional Showcase Theatre named for its benefactor-Lucile Raue-Raue Center has attracted the finest stars, Broadway shows, musicians and artists. Named on the League of Historic American Theatres, Raue Center is one of the finest examples of restored art and decor in the nation. The 750-seat theatre, located in historic, downtown Crystal Lake, is a gathering place for our region's citizens and has become a true destination.