The Nutcracker season is in full swing.
December is all about the ballet, and you can see it in a variety of versions throughout the month. Ballet Wichita provides a traditional production, with 90 regional dancers, as well as professional guest dancers. This is Ballet Wichita's 46th annual staging of the show; it includes choreography and direction by Alex Ossadnik, the company's artistic director. You have four opportunities to catch this production of The Nutcracker at Century II Performing Arts Center from Dec. 13 to 15, with evening shows at 7:00 on Friday and Saturday, and matinees at 2:00 on Saturday and Sunday.
Midwest Dance Mechanix offers up their Short and Suite Nutcracker, featuring choreography by Stan Rogers and Jana Owen, at Wichita Center for Performing Arts. This shortened version of the ballet includes a signing with the cast, as well as a chance for photos. You can find it onstage from Dec. 6 to Dec. 8; evening shows at 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, matinees at 2 on Saturday and Sunday.
Or, take a break from tradition and head over to Century II Performing Arts Center on Dec. 18 to take in A Magical Cirque Christmas, featuring Duo Transcend. Brought to you by the American Theatre Guild, this all-ages show is 150 minutes of holiday music, stunning aerial artistry, and astounding magical illusions. Some of you might recognize Duo Transcend as the husband-and-wife team who were finalists on this season's “America's Got Talent.”
