Tickets are on sale now.

Volusia Civic Ballet will present “The Nutcracker” ballet for three performances on Saturday, Dec. 7th and on Sunday, Dec. 8th on Saturday, Dec. 7th.

In addition to the full-length production, a condensed narrated Family Series show is offered on Saturday, Dec 7th. It is suitable for audiences with special needs, all levels of mobility, and young children. The Family Series is just under one hour and provides a memorable holiday experience with several vignettes from Act I and a full Act II.

The always highly anticipated Children’s Sugar Plum Tea is offered on Saturday and Sunday prior to the show. Children ages 3-12 will enjoy sweet confections and other holiday treats in a fairytale atmosphere with beautifully decorated trees and tables. A few of our Nutcracker characters will make an appearance to pose for photos to enhance the holiday experience. Only a child requires a Tea ticket to attend the Tea with only one adult per child allowed in the Rose Room for space limitation.

Performances include:
• Saturday, Dec. 7th at 2 p.m. (Family Series without guest artists)
• Saturday, Dec. 7th at 7 p.m. (full 2-act show with guest artists)
• Sunday, Dec. 8th at 2 p.m. (full 2-act show with guest artists)

Children’s Sugar Plum Tea ($25 per child, as an add on):

• Saturday, Dec. 7th at 12:30 pm (show ticket and Tea ticket required)

• Saturday, Dec. 7th at 5:30 p.m. (show ticket and Tea ticket required)

• Sunday, Dec. 8th at 12:30 p.m. (show ticket and Tea ticket required)

Groups of 15+ save with discounted tickets and reduced handling fees. For more information on group sales, visit /group-sales or contact 386-671-3472.

The cast of over 70 performers in this magnificent production comes from participating dance studios across Central Florida, with choreography produced by eight choreographers from multiple studios. This event is a collaborative community project with professional guest artists from Cincinnati Ballet.

Set to the classical music of the Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, the story comes alive when a young girl Clara, performed by Juliane Beatrice Carpio, receives a magical Nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve from her mysterious magician godfather Herr Drosselmeyer, played by Omar Brown. Drosselmeyer’s young Apprentice, played by Donovan Mansfield, befriends Clara and protects her from her naughty young brother Fritz, played by Levi Tagliamonte, and from his rowdy friends.

As she drifts asleep, in her dream a battle ensues between the army of mice led by the Rat King, played by Kelan Halloran, and by the Mouse Queen, played by Taylor Gerhardt, against the army of toy soldiers led by her beloved Nutcracker, played by Donovan Mansfield. As Clara helps the Nutcracker to overthrow the Mouse Queen and the Rat King, a spell is broken. The Nutcracker is transformed back into a Prince who looks just like her protector Apprentice. To thank Clara for her bravery, the Prince takes her on a journey through an enchanted Snow Forest where they meet a majestic Snow Queen, played by Allyson Ploeser, and a North Star, played by Kyara Cotto.

Traveling through the swirling snowflakes, Clara and her Prince arrive to the Kingdom of Sweets. The beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier, performed by Melissa Gelfin De-Poli and Rafael Quenedit Castro from Cincinnati Ballet, greet them with sweet confections from exotic lands of Arabia, Spain, Russia, France, and China. The exquisite Dew Drop played by Adelyn Childers enchants Clara and the Prince with the magnificent Waltz of the Flowers. The guest artists will join the cast for the Saturday evening and for the Sunday matinee shows.

During the performances, the Peabody lobby will be transformed into a quaint German village. Patrons can purchase unique Nutcracker gifts from the Drosselmeyer’s Magical Toy Shop and indulge in sweet delights from the breathtaking Kingdom of Sweets Shoppe. The on-line silent auction will once again showcase the unique items in the lobby available for bidding.