A Magical Holiday Tradition

Performances of Texarkana Community Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” are set for December 6-8

Chloe Carpenter as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Will Porterfield as the Nutcracker

Whether dancers, spectators or ballet enthusiasts, “The Nutcracker” performances are a holiday tradition for many families.  This year, the Texarkana Community Ballet will present the annual ballet during four performances, set for December 6-8, in the historic Perot Theatre in Downtown Texarkana.

Originally founded in 1967 by Judith McCarty, Dixie Splawn and Sandra Robinson, the Texarkana Community Ballet continues to offer high quality performances and showcases the dedication and talent of many area dancers.  Three dance studios were originally involved in the Texarkana Community Ballet, but the organization has grown by leaps in bounds, now incorporating eight area dance schools working together to produce these first-class productions. 

A classic Christmas story, “The Nutcracker” premiered in 1892 at the Imperial Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia.  Based on the book of the same name by E.T.A. Hoffman and adapted by Alexander Dumas, the music for “The Nutcracker” was composed by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky.  After premiering in western countries in the 1940s, this ballet is very popular and most often performed around Christmas time.  

“The Nutcracker” is the story of a little girl named Clara who receives a nutcracker doll from her mysterious uncle, Dr. Drosselmeyer, for Christmas.  Her jealous brother breaks the doll, and Clara is devastated.  After all the guests leave the family’s Christmas party, and Clara falls asleep, something magical happens: the doll comes to life.  A great battle then ensues between the Nutcracker and the Mouse King.  Clara saves the day by hitting the Mouse King with her shoe, and with that, the Nutcracker turns into a prince and takes her to the Land of Sweets.  Once there, they are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy.  They tell her of their heroic story, and she commends them and organizes a great show for them, with dancers from all different lands like Arabia, Russia, China and Spain.  Lastly, the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Nutcracker dance a pas de deux, and then Clara and the Nutcracker Prince leave the Land of Sweets.  When Clara awakens, she is back in her house beside the Christmas tree.

This year’s auditions for “The Nutcracker” were held August 15-16 where over 200 dancers were cast for their individual parts.  Featured dancers this year are Chloe Carpenter as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Will Porterfield as the Nutcracker.

Performances of “The Nutcracker” will be held December 6-8.  Times are: 7 p.m. on Friday; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday; and 2 p.m. on Sunday.  

Tickets are on sale at the Perot Theatre Box Office located at 221 Main Street in Texarkana, Texas.  Call 903-792-4992 for more information.