“The Nutcracker” is making its seasonal appearances this year with a few variations led by three Springfield-based ballet companies.
Copper Coin Ballet Company will have free performances of “The Nutcracker” at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum as part of Downtown Springfield Inc.’s Old Capitol Holiday Walks.
At 5:30 p.m. each Wednesday and Saturday evening beginning Nov. 26, Copper Coin will stage the classic version of the ballet in the library’s Union Theater. Admission to the library will be free starting at 4 p.m. on those days. Admission to the ballet also will be free, though tickets will be required. They will be available outside the theater starting at 4 p.m. the day of the performance.
Springfield Youth Performance Group Foundation will present “The Nutcracker: Land of the Sweets” at 2 and 6 p.m. Dec. 10 and 11 at Sacred Heart Griffin Auditorium, 1200 W. Washington St., Springfield.
The performance, which will feature dancers from the group’s Studio and Preparatory companies, along with young local dancers, will follow Clara and the Nutcracker Prince through the Land of the Snow and the Sweets.
Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children 13 and under. They are available online at sypgfoundation.org.
That same weekend, Springfield Ballet will present “The Nutcracker” at 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 10 and 2 p.m. Dec. 11 at the University of Illinois-Springfield Performing Arts Center. Tickets, which are available on the performing arts center’s website, are $42 for adults, $32 for seniors ages 65 or up, and $22 for children 12 and under.
For more information go to springfieldballetco.com.
Copper Coin Ballet also will present a pay-what-you-can performance of “The Nutty Nutcracker” at 7 p.m. Dec. 22 at the University of Illinois-Springfield’s UIS Performing Arts Center.
Mike Hannickel’s “tutu-funny” take on Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s ballet turns the holiday staple upside down while continuing to tell the classic story.
General admission seating starts at $5. Patrons ordering tickets on the performing arts center’s ticket page will be able to select their ticket price.
For more information, go online to coppercoinballet.org.
Read More: Three dance companies offer up ‘Nutcracker’