Well if you don’t, here is my shameless plug about why you should get them. Shameless, I suppose, because my kid is in it.
However, I spent many years taking said kid to see the show prior to her foray into the world of ballet. No matter what age you are, and whether you have children or not, The Nutcracker, performed each year at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts by the Champaign Urbana Ballet, is one of those quintessential holiday traditions and really a cultural rite of passage that everyone should experience at least once.
Even if ballet isn’t typically your thing, there is much to appreciate about this production, from the costumes to the sets to the immensely hard work that each dancer — 130 of them, most of whom are K-12 students — pours into their performances. You also surely know something of the story and the iconic music (that will be performed by the Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra).
So gather up some folks and plan to attend one of the 8 performances over the course of the next two weekends. I would recommend getting your tickets soon, as they tend to sell out.
The Nutcracker
Tryon Festival Theater, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
500 S. Goodwin
Urbana
November 30th-December 2nd
December 8th-10th
Photos provided by CU Ballet