The Nutcracker - Springfield Ballet Company December 8 & 9 at Sangamon Auditorium

The Springfield Ballet Company proudly presents its 44th annual production of The Nutcracker, sponsored by US Bank.

Performances at Sangamon Auditorium on Saturday, December 8, at 2 p.m. and at 7 p.m. and Sunday, December 9, at 2 p.m. Advance tickets range from $17 to $37. Day of the performance tickets are an additional $5. Purchase your tickets by calling the Sangamon Auditorium ticket office at (217) 206-6160 or online at uispac.com.

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 124, including Company dancers, local actors, young dancers from the community and professional guest artists.

This year’s production features three daughters of former SBC dancers in the lead roles: Amanda Little, daughter of Kim Leistner Root, as Dew Drop; Olivia Pennell, daughter of Carrie Cunningham Pennell as the Snow Queen; and Analysse Vance, daughter of Mindy Western Vance, as the Sugar Plum Fairy. “It is amazing to see my friends’ daughters rising in the ranks of SBC in these roles. They are as beautiful as their mothers and we are all very proud,” said SBC Artistic Director Julie Ratz.

Company member Laura Sonnek will dance the role of Clara with Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago danseur Jacob Frazier as her Nutcracker Prince. Chris Collins will perform as the Cavalier and J. Wyatt Pendleton as the Snow King, both from Rochester City Ballet in New York.