West Hawaii Theatre Presents Nutcracker

The West Hawaii Dance Theatre and Academy will present The Nutcracker Ballet at the Kahilu Theatre in Waimea on Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 20 and 21 at 6 p.m. and on Thursday, Dec. 22, at 2 p.m.

The Nutcracker Ballet combines the music of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky with the charming, old-world fairytale based on the original E.T.A. Hoffman story, The Nutcracker and the King of Mice.

This visually stunning, festive, family-friendly production includes more than 60 local dancers, guest dancers from the Maui Academy of Performing Arts, and guest professional dancers from the Matsuyama Ballet, Carolina Ballet and Bolshoi Ballet.

The dancers are accompanied by the music of academy pianist Megumi Kopp, violinist Joel Gimpel and guest musicians.

Choreography is based on the original Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo version, and has been adapted by West Hawaii Dance Theatre Artistic Director Virginia Holte, Co-Director Midori Satoh and instructors Jenna Ojeda, Ann Marie Pargett and Megan Joy Chapman.

The Nutcracker tells the story of Clara, who is given a magical nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve by her eccentric Uncle Drosselmeyer.

Adventure awaits as she and her transformed Nutcracker Prince battle the frightful Rat King before embarking on a journey through the Land of the Snow.

With the the help of the delicate Sugar Plum Fairy, Clara and her prince travel to the Land of the Sweets, where they are entertained by an Arabian princess, spicy Spanish dancers, giggling Chinese dancers, delightful Marzipan and beautiful waltzing flowers.

A silent auction and Nutcracker Boutique will be held in the lobby.

Proceeds will benefit WHDT’s ongoing programs, scholarship fund and studio renovations.

Tickets: www.kahilutheatre.org

Information: (808) 329-8876 and www.whdt.org

The Kahilu Theatre is located at 67-1186 Lindsey Road in Waimea.

WHDT is a nonprofit educational arts organization under IRS Code 501 (c)(3) and is supported in part by the Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, Hawai‘i Community Foundation, Atherton Family Foundation, Cooke Foundation, Vance Wall Foundation, Ironman Foundation, Macy’s and local businesses and families.

Founded in 1989, its mission is to educate the public in dance and other art forms in an environment of cultural excellence.

CHRISTMAS EVENTS

Waikoloa Village Christmas Parade & Keiki Festival Dec. 10
Holiday Card to Hilo: Christmas Around the World Dec. 11
NORAD Set to Track Santa’s Flight Through Dec. 25
Magic of the Season Open House in Hilo Dec. 12–16