On their toes in Nutcracker

LEHI — At the Show Barn at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, the Rocky Mountain Repertory Ballet company puts on the 11th annual performance of the classic story. Professional artists combine talents with a hundred community dancers and actors to celebrate young Clara's dream about a Nutcracker prince, the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Snow Queen and dancing toys and sweet candy.

"They come from all over Utah Valley," said Connie Burton, ballet company director. "They're picked by audition with the principals coming from Rocky Mountain Ballet in Orem."

"We have an incredibly beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy and an equally beautiful Snow Queen. It's very delightful and very colorful."

Burton said the shows for school-age audiences are already nearly sold out, and they may add an evening show if ticket sales stay steady.

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OREM —"The Nutcracker" on the SCERA Showhouse stage will be a children's "Nutcracker," danced and performed by a cast of 175, ranging in age from 3-18.

Tammy Mecham, director of the Timpanogos School of Dance, said the children have been working since September to get the classic story ready for an audience.

Many buy their own costumes while the SCERA provides the period pieces.

Three guest artists from the Classical Ballet Academy of Provo will dance the parts of the Snow Queen, the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Snow King.

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PROVO — For the Utah Regional Ballet Company, "The Nutcracker" is the traditional season showpiece. This year marks the 24th time the company has danced the holiday favorite.

"It changes every year. It's always new," said Jacque Colledge, company director. "This year we've added a new section at the front with children as angels, and we have an adopted child from the Ukraine who is our Clara."

Utah Regional Ballet danced at the SCERA last year but missed having the orchestra and more space, so they've moved to Timpview High School for this season.

Next year, they'll be housed in Provo's new arts center, Colledge said.

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If you go . . .

What: Rocky Mountain Repertory Ballet "The Nutcracker"

Where: Show Barn, Thanksgiving Point in Lehi

When: 7 p.m., Dec. 12, 13

Cost: $14/$9 children in advance, $16/$11 day of show

Phone: 360-1158

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What: "The Nutcracker" at the SCERA

Where: SCERA Showhouse, SCERA Center for the Arts, 745 S. State, Orem

When: 7:30 p.m., Dec. 15-23, 2 p.m. matinees Dec. 16 and 23

Cost: $14/$12 children

Phone: 225-2569

Web: www.scera.org

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What: "The Nutcracker"

Where: Timpview High School, 3570 N. 650 East, Provo

When: 7:30 p.m., Dec. 21, 2 p.m. matinees Dec. 22, 23

Cost: $15-$25

Phone: 467-8499

Web: www.smithstix.com