Kettering Health Network and Vectren present Dayton Ballet’s 18th annual holiday production, The Nutcracker, December 9-11 and 16-18, 2011. Dayton Ballet has sculpted this classic winter gem to sparkle with Dayton shine, replacing traditional characters with historical Dayton figures, including Virginia Weiffenbach Kettering and Dayton Ballet founders, Josephine and Hermene Schwarz. Dayton Ballet’s professional and pre-professional companies will appear in nine magical performances over two weekends at the Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center. Tickets may be purchased by visiting www.ticketcenterstage.com or by calling Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or (888) 228-3630.
Over 100 children from the Dayton Ballet School and 13 other area dance schools will take the stage in the Miami Valley’s only professional production of The Nutcracker, showcasing the critically acclaimed and nationally recognized Dayton Ballet Company, plus the Dayton Ballet II Senior and Junior Companies and students from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and Ohio University dance departments.
Performances of Dayton Ballet’s The Nutcracker will play Friday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 10 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 11 at 1:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 17 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 18 at 2:30 p.m.
Celebrity Mother Ginger’s!
Mother Ginger is one of the most colorful and spirited characters in Dayton Ballet’s The Nutcracker. This year, several local celebrities have volunteered to appear on stage as Mother Ginger.
- Ryan Phillips , On-Air Personality and Promotions Director, from 94.5 Lite FM appears Friday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 PM.
- Kim Faris, On Air Personality at 94.5 Lite FM, is a frequentMotherGinger guest, appearing for the fourth year in a row on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 2:30 PM.
- Neal Gittleman, Music Director for the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra will make his debut appearance on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 7:30 PM.
- Rachel Murray, news anchor from WHIO AM/FM and weekend announcer, a.k.a.RoxyReynolds, from K99 will debut on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 1:00 PM.
- Dave Alexander from the Mix FM 107.7 morning show makes his second appearance on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 2:30 p.m.
- Mike Hartsock, from WHIO TV, News Center 7 Sports, will once again appear on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 2:30 p.m.
Don’t miss your chance to see Daytoncelebrities as Mother Ginger in Dayton Ballet’s The Nutcracker.
Have Tea with the Sugar Plum Fairy!
Enjoy an English Tea inspired luncheon at the SchusterCenteron Saturday, Dec. 10 from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Your ticket for the Sugar Plum Tea will include: desserts from the “Land of Sweets,” Sugar Plum Fairy crafts, listening to The Nutcracker story read by a special guest, pictures with a ballet dancer in costume and the opportunity to participate in a silent auction. You can purchase tickets to the Sugar Plum Tea from Ticket Center Stage. Discounted tickets to The Nutcracker may be purchased in conjunction with tickets to the Tea.
Enter The Nutcracker Coloring Contest!
Enter to win four tickets to Dayton Ballet’s The Nutcracker, four tickets to Behind the Magic Backstage Tour and autographed keepsakes from the Sugar Plum Fairy. In order to win, children must send Dayton Ballet their coloring page, which can be downloaded at the Dayton Ballet website. Children may also send original artwork inspired by The Nutcracker. Only one entry per child will be considered; children must be between the ages of four and ten and every entry must include the child’s name, age, address, city, state, zip code, parent or guardian’s name, phone number and email on the back of the coloring page. The deadline for all entries is Friday, Dec. 2, 2011. Entries must be mailed or delivered in person to Dayton Ballet 140 N. Main St. Dayton, OH, 45402.
“Behind the Magic” Backstage Tour
The Nutcracker at theSchusterCenter offers excitement and beauty as well as a fun learning experience. Following the Saturday matinee performances, Dayton Ballet will offer “Behind the Magic” BackstageTours (approximately 4:30 p.m.). For $10 patrons can take a backstage tour of theSchusterCenter, meet Dayton Ballet dancers and enjoy refreshments. Simply tell the ticket agent at Ticket Center Stage that you would like the Backstage Tour when you purchase your ticket.
Shop at Dayton Ballet.
If you and those on your holiday shopping list love all things ballet, visit the Ballet Boutique for all of your holiday shopping needs. You can purchase nutcrackers of all shapes and sizes, ballet trinkets and Dayton Ballet apparel to sport around town.
Get a Deal on Nutcracker Tickets.
Visit the Entertainment Book Online and check the Dayton Ballet website at, www.daytonballet.org, for a list of discount opportunities.
For tickets to Dayton Ballet’s The Nutcracker, the “Behind the Magic” Backstage Tour or the Sugar Plum Tea, call Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or (888) 228-3630 or visit online at www.ticketcenterstage.com. Ticket Center Stage hours are Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday Noon-4 p.m. and two hours prior to each performance.
Dayton Ballet’s season sponsor is Kettering Health Network. The Nutcracker is presented by producing sponsors Kettering Health Network and Vectren. Performance sponsor is: The Soin Family; Dayton Ballet Media Sponsors include: WHIO TV, 94.5 Lite FM and Dayton Daily News. Additional funding is provided by Culture Works, Ohio Arts Council, Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District and Downtown Dayton Partnership.
We have tickets to give away!
CONGRATULATIONS Bethany Locklear – she won tickets for the 12/10 show! BUT WAIT… we have FOUR MORE PAIRS of tickets to give away for the remaining shows from 12/16-12/19 ! We’ll give away one pair for every ten “likes” we get on this article (we have 14 at the time of this update) – so be sure to hit the “like” button when you fill out the form. We’ll announce the remaining winners on Tuesday 12/13 at 2pm – GOOD LUCK!
Contest Closed
Congratulations to our winners!
Janie Hummel
Andrea Hubler
Amy Price
Pam Elswick
Nutcracker!