Island Youth Ballet presents ‘Excerpts from the Nutcracker’

The show performs on Dec. 9-10, Dec. 15 and Dec. 17 at the SJCC.

December 7, 2017 1:55 pm

Island Youth Ballet’s annual “Excerpts from the Nutcracker” — a hallmark of holiday festivities for generations of Mercer Island audiences each year — will perform this weekend and next week at the Stroum Jewish Community Center.

IYB’s “Excerpts from the Nutcracker” dazzles with all the magic of the traditional story with falling snow, toy soldiers, baby mice, a rat king and of course a Sugar Plum Fairy and a Nutcracker Prince. The show, directed by Susan Valencia, will be performed for the 16th year in a row on the SJCC main stage.

Six shows of matinee and evening performances provide family holiday fun for all ages. Mercer Island students dance over 150 parts in luscious costumes with theatrical sets and lighting, and beautiful dancing transports audiences to the Land of Sweets where a beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy reigns. The performance features 48 Mercer Island Youth Ballet members with students from the Children’s Dance Conservatory ranging in ages from 6 to 18.

2017 is the 125th anniversary of “The Nutcracker.” This holiday offering will delight your spirit and fire your imagination. Join IYB for this holiday treasure set to Tchaikovsky’s classic score.

Performance length is two hours, including intermission. During intermission enjoy a holiday boutique, festive beverages and tasty treats.

Performances will be at 2 p.m. on Dec. 9, 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Dec. 10, 7 p.m. on Dec. 15 and 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Dec. 17.

For information and to purchase tickets ($35 for general admission, $45 for VIP Platinum), visit www.childrensdance.org. Purchasing tickets in advance is strongly recommended, since performances often sell out. If a performance is sold out, you may add your name to a wait list at the box office one hour prior to each performance.

IYB Nutcracker sponsors are vital patrons of Mercer Island’s arts’ culture and holiday season. The 2017 Island Youth Ballet “Excerpts from The Nutcracker” sponsors are: Patricia and Richard Ballot, the Burks family, Mercer Island Center for the Arts, Suzanne Zahr, Inc. | SZ Build, Inc. and New Seasons Market.

Island Youth Ballet and Children’s Dance Conservatory, a 501(c) 3 nonprofit, was established in 1984 to provide classical ballet education of the highest quality and stage pre-professional productions for the Mercer Island community.

Call 206-522-9399 or visit the studio at 8635 SE 68th St. for more information.