By Makenzie Mason
Staff Writer

The Pennsylvania Ballet, a dance company based in Philadelphia, is holding their annual holiday tradition, “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker,” at the Academy of Music. Directed by Roy Kaiser, The Nutcracker is a magical ballet about a girl’s dream through Candy land with her Nutcracker turned handsome prince by her side.

Great for people of all ages, the Nutcracker thrills audiences with breathtaking music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, performed live by the Pennsylvania Ballet Orchestra, and the Philadelphia Boys Choir. The music transports audiences alike into a winter wonderland filled with candy canes and gum drops. The whimsical costumes by Judanna Lynn flaunt extravagant tutus, and sparkling crowns, and accentuate George Balanchine’s thoughtful choreography.

“My favorite character is probably the Sugar Plum Fairy because that is who I would want to be if I were dancing in the Nutcracker,” said dancer, and sophomore Jojo Knecht. “I also like the snow scene because there are a lot of dancers all in white on stage, and the music is really dynamic.”

Principal dancers Amy Aldridge, Julie Diana, Lauren Fadeley, Brooke Moore, soloist Gabriella Yudenich and corps de ballet member Lillian Di Piazza all have received the most challenging, and famous role of the show: the Sugar Plum fairy. Acting like the queen, the Sugar Plum Fairy shows Marie and the Nutcracker prince around Candy land, and at the end of the second act performs a highly technical pas de deux with her cavalier.

“I really am just in love with the whole second act of the show,” said sophomore, and dancer Marlena Colsher. The Waltz of the Snowflakes, the Chinese, and the Spanish are especially my favorites.”

Other favorite characters in the Nutcracker are the snowflakes, and the Chinese dancers, and Mother Ginger and the polichinelles. Mother Ginger, generally played by a man, is a woman who hides all of her kids, the polichinelles under her skirt. One by one, they start to come out, giving the audience some comic relief.

The Nutcracker lasts about two hours-long, with one 20 minute intermission separating the two acts. Along with the Pennsylvania ballet company members, there are dozens of dancers from the Pennsylvania Ballet School in it as well.

The show runs from Dec. 7 to 29 and tickets are on sale online at www.paballet.org. George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker performed by the Pennsylvania Ballet will captivate audiences of all ages with a hint sparkle and a few dancing sugar plums!