“The Nutcracker” to be danced in many local venues

Local dancers have been busy rehearsing for this year’s performances of the timeless Christmas tradition “The Nutcracker.” Some have put twists on the tale set to Tchaikovsky’s classical music. But the tradition of the performance the duel between mouse king and prince, the tour through the land of the sweets remains the same.

Community members who want to take part in this timeless tradition have many show options, made for almost any budget.

Here is an overview of local Nutcracker offerings:

The Asaph Dance Ensemble will perform “Clara’s Christmas” Dec. 3 at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. at Hylton Performing Arts Center at 10960 George Mason Circle in Manassas on the George Mason Campus. The ballet offers original choreography by Robert and Robin Sturm to Tchaikovsky’s music. Clara learns the true meaning of Christmas in this retelling of the traditional tale. Instead of the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Holy Spirit, danced by Bristow’s Samantha Mang, 21, will lead Clara, danced by Janie Ritter, 14, of Manassas, through her journey. The performance will include about 35 dancers ranging in age from 6 to 62. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children under 12 and adults 65 and older. Group discounts are offered. Information is available at 703-368-1812 or online: http://www.hyltoncenter.org .

DeGrasse Dance Studio, with locations at 13867 Smoketown Road in Woodbridge and 15125 Washington St. in Haymarket, has been presenting “The Nutcracker” for more than 30 years. It is “a great way to get into the holiday spirit,” according to owner Johnna DeGrasse. The production will take place at Gar-Field High School at 14000 Smoketown Road in Woodbridge on Dec. 2 and 3 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 4 at 3 p.m.

Each performance will have a different Clara: Katie Galloway of Woodbridge, Jane Foster of Woodbridge, and Abigail Foster of Stafford. The Sugar Plum Fairy will be performed by Madison Rafferty, of Gainesville, and Kaitlynn Long. Sunday’s performance will offer a peek at guest performer Marlen Alimanov, who dances with the Manassas Ballet Theatre. The cast consists of children 3 to 17 with a few parents in the party scene. Information is available from .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 703-330-6730. Discounts are offered to scout groups. Advanced tickets are $14 for children 5 to 11 and $20 for 12 and older. Tickets at the door are $15 for children 5-11 and $22 for audience members who are 12 and older. Children younger than 5 are free.

The Academy of Russian Ballet will present its annual performance of “The Nutcracker” on Dec. 3 and 4 at 3 p.m. at Stonewall Jackson Middle School at 10100 Lomond Dr. in Manassas. The performance will include 60 dancers and some parents. The role of Clara will be danced by Jordan Sisson, 11, of Haymarket. Dancing the Queen of the Fairies who will introduce Clara to the lands of the sweets will be Maggie Patterson, 16, of Manassas.

In addition to the performance, Girl Scout troops can come backstage for a history lesson on “The Nutcracker.” The cost is $10 per person and includes everything needed to earn the Nutcracker badge.

Information on advance tickets, which cost $15 for adults and $12 for children up to age 18, is available at 703-368-2268 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). At-the-door ticket prices increase to $20 for adults and $17 for children. Discounts are also available for groups.

Manassas Ballet Theatre’s annual performance of “The Nutcracker” with accompaniment from the Manassas Ballet Theatre Orchestra will be presented at Hylton Performing Arts Center on Dec. 8 (which offers a salute to the military) and 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 10 and 11 at 3 p.m.

Manassas Ballet Theatre’s performance will include professional dancers and about 50 children and 14 adults from the community. Amy Helfrich, a senior at Liberty High School, will dance the part of Clara while professional dancer, Aleksey Kudrin will dance the role of the nutcracker prince.

Information on tickets to the show at The Hylton Performing Arts Center, at 10960 George Mason Circle in Manassas on the George Mason Campus, is available at 703-368-6621, http://www.tickets.com info@,manassasballet.org, or http://www.manasssballet.org Ticke.ts cost $35, $45 and $55. Group ticket discounts are available.