Ballet Northwest’s “The Nutcracker” is returning to the Washington Center for the Performing Arts in Olympia in December. The 40th annual production, which includes sets created by local artist Jill Carter, will take place from Dec. 8-10 and Dec. 15-17.
Friday shows begin at 7:30 p.m., Saturday shows begin at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday shows start at 2 p.m.
The Sugar Plum Fairy’s Cavalier will be danced by professional guest artist and Pacific Northwest Ballet Principal Dancer James Kirby Rogers. Ballet Northwest company dancers Sela Bell and Audrey Nannini will be alternating in the lead role of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Both are seniors at Olympia High School and are enrolled at South Puget Sound Community College as Running Start students. They both recently attended Ballet Austin’s nationally renowned summer program in Texas, according to a press release.
Approximately 200 people make up the cast, which features local dancers as young as 8 years old, along with Ballet Northwest company dancers. Ballet Northwest, the oldest dance company in Washington, is composed of 60 dancers age 12 and older, drawn from Thurston, Pierce, Lewis and Mason counties, according to the press release.
To order tickets, call 360-753-8586 or order online at www.washingtoncenter.org. Tickets are $17 to $38, plus a $4 service fee. Student, senior and youth discounts are available. Student Rush tickets go on sale one hour before curtain.
