Columbia City Ballet’s Nutcracker brings “Broadway show of the holidays” to Koger Center
November 13, 2018
The timeless holiday tradition returns to Columbia for its 58th season
The Columbia City Ballet returns with its award-winning Nutcracker to Columbia for its 58th season of this cherished holiday classic. Executive and Artistic Director, William Starrett, has created a captivating performance, which waltzes onto the Koger Center Stage for six snow-filled performances falling on December 8, 9, 15 and 16.
This year’s Nutcracker performance will return to its roots and feature special choreography in honor of the 100-year anniversary of Marius Petipa’s original choreographer of Nutcracker. Starrett’s classic version of Nutcracker allows the audience to experience the real, live classic story in person instead of on-screen.
“While the movie is just out, there is nothing like a live experience,” Starrett says. “This is a production complete with astounding sets, scenery and hundreds of costumes – it’s a fully professional, once-in-a-lifetime holiday event. See the real story come to life right here in Columbia at the Koger Center.”
Columbia City Ballet’s Nutcracker is the largest, continuously running, performing arts event produced in South Carolina, and will be touring eight cities across the Southeast this year. The company’s 32 professional dancers will share the stage with over 100 local children, ages 4 to 16.
Nutcracker is the story of a little girl, Clara, who receives a nutcracker as a Christmas gift from her uncle, Drosselmeyer. At the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve, Clara sees the Nutcracker magically grow into a life-size prince and battle the Mouse Queen. After Clara hurls her slipper and slays the Mouse Queen, the Nutcracker Prince thanks Clara by taking her on a magical journey through the land of snow and kingdom of sweets. The celebration ends with a final waltz where visions of sugar plums dance through Clara’s head.
Columbia City Ballet’s 51st production of Nutcracker will be at the Koger Center for six performances on December 8 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., December 9 at 3 p.m., December 15 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and one final performance on December 16 at 3 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.kogercenterforthearts.com, by calling (803)-251-2222 or in person at the box office.
Columbia City Ballet’s mission is to offer South Carolina and Southeastern audiences the highest quality ballet. We in South Carolina can proudly claim one of the strongest and most versatile ballet companies in the Southeast. Since the Columbia City Ballet’s founding in 1961, it has fully integrated the world of dance within the community as the largest performing arts organization in the state.
