Fox Valley Ballet's 'The Nutcracker' To Celebrate 10 Years

Arts & Entertainment

Fox Valley Ballet's 'The Nutcracker' To Celebrate 10 Years To celebrate a decade, the show will feature two sets of professional Grand Pas de Deux couples from Chicago ballet companies.

BATAVIA, IL — Fox Valley Ballet's version of "The Nutcracker" will celebrate 10 years this winter in Batavia.

"The Fox Valley Nutcracker" will open Nov. 29 and run through Dec. 1 at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre. The four anniversary shows, featuring Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's original score, are a "stunning evolution of the beloved holiday classic," showrunners said.

Previously recognized as "the best 'Nutcracker' in the Fox Valley area and western Chicago suburbs," the show has sold out shows and seen an increased demand for tickets, according to a news release.

To celebrate its 10th birthday, the cast for this year's "Nutcracker" will feature two sets of professional Grand Pas de Deux couples: Yumi Kanazawa and Evan Boersma, of the Joffrey Ballet Chicago, and Miriam-Rose LeDuc and Jackson Liee, of the Chicago Repertory Ballet.

"This enchanting holiday tradition soars to new heights — quite literally — with the return of breathtaking aerial performances and flying effects," reads a news release.

The show will feature about 160 dancers, including budding pre-professional dancers from 30 studios in the Chicagoland area. It'll be the largest cast in the production's history.

"What makes this year's production truly special is its ability to unite more than 150 dancers from 30 different dance studios across Chicagoland, creating opportunities for both young artists and adult performers to share the stage with professional guest artists in a full-length, professional-caliber production," Ashlie Andersen, the show's artistic director, said in a statement. "It's more than a performance — it's a celebration of artistic collaboration that has become a cherished part of our community's holiday season."

Performances will take place at 3 p.m. Nov. 29, at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Nov. 30, and at 1 p.m. Dec. 1. Tickets for adults start at $41, and admission starts at $30 for children 10 and younger.

A portion of the show's proceeds will go toward the Fox Valley Ballet Scholarship Fund. Scholarships are awarded to students in need of financial assistance for summer programs or training at their local dance studios.

"We have awarded $10,000 in scholarship money to young, aspiring dancers who need financial assistance to further their training," Andersen said.

Tickets can be purchased on the Batavia Fine Arts Centre website or by calling 630-937-8930.