THE NUTCRACKER presented by Berkshire Ballet Theatre At Raue Center This Month

Raue Center For The Arts is pleased to welcome Berkshire Ballet Theatre as they present "The Nutcracker" on December 16 & 17, 2017. Building on the success of last year's new interpretation of this holiday classic, which featured the exciting addition of new characters, the audience can anticipate an equally impressive, if not bigger and better, production in 2017!

"From dancing to acting and even tumbling, BBT's 'Nutcracker' has something for everyone! This year, the production includes the addition of several new elements to keep the show fresh and exciting for our audience," says Courtney Petrocci, Artistic Director of Summers Academy of Dance at Berkshire Ballet Theatre.

This spectacular production weaves professional caliber choreography into the classic narrative of ETA Hoffmann, "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King." One new element of the production is the addition of BBT's first ever Mouse Queen. "The change adds a new dynamic for our Nutcracker Prince and the battle scene," says Petrocci. "With black pointe shoes, a tutu and a giant diamond encrusted crown, this sassy lady and her mice battalion mean business."

Audience members will be moved to leap from their seats to battle the Mouse Queen and her horde of mice, have a snowball fight alongside 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.

"Our Nutcracker Prince is a senior student from the Milwaukee Ballet Academy on a full scholarship. He is truly a wonderful young gentleman for our dancers to perform with," says Petrocci. "The relationship between our Clara and the Nutcracker is young and playful rather than a romantic interest. Drawn on a big brother - little sister dynamic, the "Snow Pas de Deux" is more of a playful dance in the snow with exquisite lifts and dancing that will capture any audience member's hear and keep them smiling all the way into our shimmering show scene."

Back by popular demand from last year's production, Petrocci shares this year's "Waltz of the Snow Flakes" is not to be missed. The precision-based dance scene will again feature Clara and the curious snowmen playing, with the dazzling arching effect of a shimmering winter's snow created by dancers throwing snow in meticulous timing.

This beautifully reimagined production of "The Nutcracker" features over 100 performers, including dancers from BBT's instructional and dance companies, as well guest artists from renowned dance and theatre companies throughout the United States.

Performance times are 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on December 16 and 1 p.m. on December 17. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased online at rauecenter.org or via the Box Office at 815.356.9212 or at 26 N. Williams Street in downtown Crystal Lake.

About Raue Center For The Arts

Raue Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts. For 16 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, Ill., is a gathering place for our region's citizens and has become a true destination. For additional information, visit rauecenter.org, facebook.com/RaueCenter and twitter.com/RaueCenter.