How would we recognize the holiday season without a production of The Nutcracker?
Our fair city has several stagings of this seasonal classic, including the 45th annual production from Ballet Wichita. Artistic director Alex Ossadnik choreographed and directs this elaborate, magical show, promising new costumes and new scenery, while maintaining the traditional tale of wonder. The cast includes more than 130 local dancers with music under the direction of Dr. Wesley Despain. You can catch this performance of The Nutcracker onstage at Century II Concert Hall from Dec. 14 to Dec. 16.
Other opportunities to enjoy this holiday ballet include Friends University's annual production, which is on stage at Sebits Auditorium for two weekends, Dec. 7 through Dec. 15; and, on Dec. 8 and 9, Midwest Dance Mechanix performs a truncated version, titled Short & Suite Nutcracker, featuring Stan Rogers as choreographer at Wichita Center for Performing Arts.
For the less traditional lover of enchantment, the Orpheum Theatre is offering up the Champions of Magic for two shows only, Dec. 11 and 12. From London's West End, this team of five magicians provides solid family-friendly entertainment stuffed with spectacle and illusion, and original work with nods to the traditions, including the famous Houdini water torture escape, levitation to soaring heights, and a finale that defies the laws of science.
