The Nutcracker Ballet Comes to Kahilu Theatre

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To get you in the holiday spirit, the West Hawai‘i Dance Theatre will present The Nutcracker Ballet at the Kahilu Theatre on Dec. 21 and 22 at 6 p.m. and Dec. 23 at 2 p.m.

This stunning, family-friendly production includes more than 70 local dancers and guest dancers from the Maui Academy of Performing Arts, the Matsuyama Ballet, the Carolina Ballet and the Bolshoi Ballet. A full orchestra led by Brian Dollinger with members of the Kamuela Philharmonic Orchestra will accompany the dancers.

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 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.

The choreography is based on the original Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo version and has been updated for this years’ production by West Hawai‘i Dance Theatre’s artistic director Virginia Holte, co-director Midori Satoh, instructors Jenna Ojeda, Ann Marie Pargett and Megan Joy Chapman and guest choreographers Soili Arvola & Miho Tsutsumi.

A silent auction will be held in the lobby to benefit West Hawai‘i Dance Theatre’s ongoing programs, scholarship fund and studio renovations.

This performance is made possible by Central Pacific Bank, Hilton Waikoloa Resort, Hawaiian Airlines, Central Pacific Bank, Valerie Cartwright and Richard Olazaba.

Tickets range from $23 through $38 and can be purchased online or by calling (808) 885-6868.