THEATER | Journey with Clara, prince to magical Kingdom of Sweets
The magical holiday classic The Nutcracker is a perennial favorite this time of year. Fans of the traditional play about Clara and her Nutcracker Prince will have a chance to see it as early as Dec. 2-3 as two different groups – the Copper Coin Ballet Company and Springfield Youth Performance Group Studio Company - are putting it on that weekend. The Copper Coin Ballet Company's show will feature 30 company dancers, 70 actors of all ages from the community and even two guest artists portraying the Snow King and Cavalier. The show, created by Julie Ratz, Ronda Brinkman, Gina Russell and Grace Nanavati, is popular in the Springfield area. Alaina Verduin is portraying Clara. Tickets for reserved seats are $42. General admission tickets start at $10 each with an innovative option offering showgoers the ability to "pay what you can." Tickets can be obtained through a visit to the Copper Coin's website, coppercoinballet.org. Meanwhile, the Springfield Youth Performance Group will put on The Nutcracker at SHG. The cast includes members of the Boys & Girls Clubs. Tickets range from $15-$25. Call 217-553-4475 for ticket info. ... Can't make it to either of The Nutcracker productions this weekend? No worries. You can catch one of Copper Coin's six condensed versions of the show beginning at Dec. 6 at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum as part of the Old Capitol Holiday Walks. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance through the ALPLM website, presidentlincoln.illinois.gov.
The Nutcracker Sat., Dec. 2, 2 p.m., and Sun., Dec. 3, 2 p.m. UIS Performing Arts Center, Sangamon Auditorium One University Plaza, University of Illinois Springfield 217-206-6160 Sat., Dec. 2, 6-7pm, and Sun., Dec. 3, 2-3 p.m. Sacred Heart-Griffin High School, 1200 W. Washington St. 217-553-4475
