Schaumburg ‘Nutcracker’ opens this weekend

The Schaumburg Dance Ensemble presents Tchaikovsky’s timeless ballet, “The Nutcracker,” for two weekends, Dec. 2-4 and Dec. 9-11, at the Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts.Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays; at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; and at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sundays.The production, featuring professional dancers alongside local performers, has become a steadfast family holiday tradition at the Prairie Center.#147;In addition to wowing crowds with inventive choreography and dazzling costumes, this production provides dramatic impact through its attention to the story,#148; says the Prairie Center#146;s Rob Pileckis.Live narration provided by Drosselmeyer, whose gift of a nutcracker to a young girl at a Christmas gathering inspires a dream world of colorful characters, #147;instantly draws young audiences into the performance and keeps them entertained through the final bows,#148; adds Pileckis.#147;The Nutcracker#148; is directed by Alberto Arias, Michele Leslie Holzman, and Lisa Sheppard, with additional choreography by Autumn Eckman.Tickets for #147;The Nutcracker#148; are $26; $18 for students and seniors. Order them online at prairiecenter.org or at (847) 895-3600. The Prairie Center for the Arts is at 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg.

#147;The Nutcracker#148; is sponsored by the Daily Herald, Motorola Solutions Foundation, and Radisson Hotels. The Schaumburg Dance Ensemble is a program of the village of Schaumburg.