Theatre Arts & Dance Alliance in collaboration with Tampa Bay Dance Theatre present their 12th annual production of "The Nutcracker" at Howard W. Blake High School on Saturday, December 22, 2018 and Sunday, December 23, 2018. Performances will be at 3:00 pm.
Pre Sale Ticket Prices: Premium Seats $25, General Admission - Adult $15, General Admission - Child/Student/ Senior Citizen $12
1 Hour prior to the show, tickets will only be available for purchase in the theatre lobby for the following prices: Premium Seats $30, General Admission $20.
It is Christmas Eve at the Stahlbaum house and the family is hosting their annual Christmas party. welcoming the arrival of their family and friends. The children, Clara and Fritz, are dancing and playing as they welcome their friends too.
The party grows festive with music and dance as godfather Drosselmeyer arrives. He is a skilled clock and toy maker and always full of surprises. Drosselmeyer draws everyone's attention as he presents two life-size dolls. They are the delight of the party, each taking a turn to dance. Drosselmeyer then presents Clara with a beautiful Nutcracker. As the evening grows late, the guests depart and the Stahlbaum family retires for the evening. Clara, worried about her beloved Nutcracker, sneaks back to the tree to check on him, falling asleep with him in her arms.
As the clock strikes midnight strange things begin to happen. Clara begins shrinking as her beautiful Christmas tree grows high above her. The toys around the tree come to life while the room fills with an army of rats, led by the fierce Rat King. As the Nutcracker awakens. The Rat King corners the Nutcracker and battles him one-on-one. The Nutcracker seems to be no match for the Rat King. Clara makes a final daring charge throwing her slipper at the Rat King, hitting him square on the head. The Rat King drops to the floor and the rats run away, carrying off their leader's lifeless body.
The Nutcracker turns into a Prince and takes Clara on a journey to the Land of Snow, an enchanted forest wonderland where they are welcomed by dancing snowflakes.
The Prince escorts Clara to the Land of Sweets where they are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy. The Prince tells her about their daring battle with the army of rats and she rewards them with a celebration of dances.As a finale, the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Cavalier dance a beautiful Pas De Deux.
Clara awakens from her dream and finds herself by her Christmas tree with her beloved Nutcracker.