The Viktor Yeliohin International Ballet Academy is celebrating the magic and memories of the 30th anniversary of The Nutcracker Ballet in Lancaster. Since 1993, Viktor Yeliohin has presented the story of Clara and her beloved gift, The Nutcracker. The story itself was adapted from the book The Nutcracker and the Mouse King written by E.T.A. Hoffman in 1816. Pyotr Tchaikovsky composed the score for the ballet and the first performance was in 1892.
The show is a Christmas tradition that kicks off the holiday season for many, but this year’s Lancaster performances commemorate the rich history among the thousands of dancers who have performed here locally over the past three decades. Audiences will also remember the Donetsk Ballet of Ukraine as the professional dancers for most of the Lancaster Nutcracker’s history. This year Viktor has invited several Ukrainian professionals again to dance along with American and local student ballerinas. There are four shows running Friday, December 1st through Sunday, December 3 rd to be held at the High Performing Arts Center at Lancaster Mennonite School.
Representing the School District of Lancaster are students Fiona Atlee, Lydia Corvino, Alice Dillon, Jaydaliz Flores, Lucy Heitmann, Eloise Merrell, Maggie O’Connor, Marley Padgett, Era Pema, Gabriela and Yanielis Rodriguez. Heitmann will star as Clara with Corvino as her brother Fritz, Rodriguez is an understudy for Fritz as well as other parts.
These students have been working hard since August with rehearsals every weekend to put on this professionally produced show for audiences to celebrate the season with this time-honored tradition since 1892, when Tchaikovsky’s composition of the “The Nutcracker” ballet was first performed.
Viktor is the Artistic Director for this time-honored tradition and is looking forward to the upcoming shows: “This year’s performances will be memorable and exciting as we have many of the former Clara’s coming back to be recognized on stage and in the program.” Approximately one hundred local dancers from more than ten Lancaster County dance schools are in this year’s cast. Rehearsals began in mid-August and the students are excited to perform alongside several professional dancers from Ukraine, Maryland, and Lancaster.
Performances will be held:
- Friday, December 1st at 6:30 p.m.
- Two performances Saturday, December 2nd at 1:00 and 6:00 p.m.
- Sunday, December 3rd at 2:00 p.m.
Tickets are $40.00 for general seating and $27.00 for balcony seating. Senior, Veteran, and student tickets for the main floor are discounted at $35.00. Tickets may be purchased at the door. Reserved seating tickets may be purchased by calling 610-914-3663 or online at vyballet.com. The theater has wheelchair-accessible seating. For questions about tickets, please email vyibanutcrackertickets@gmail.com. A portion of the proceeds will be designated to help Ukrainian dancers who were deeply affected by the ongoing war.