The Tuscarawas Dance Arts Center will present the 30th “Nutcracker” on December 2, 3 and 4
NEW PHILADELPHIA — The Tuscarawas Dance Arts Center, under the direction of Shelly Beitzel, is gearing up for its 30th annual production of the Nutcracker ballet.
Performances will be held at the Performing Arts Center at Kent State University at Tuscarawas in New Philadelphia at 7 p.m. on December 2; 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 3; and 2 p.m. on December 4.
This year, Sugar Plum Fairy will be danced by Zoey Minard, a senior from Strasbourg high school, and Zoe Devecka, a junior from Dover High.
Sharing the role of Clara, Dover junior Kiley McIntosh and Dover senior Camryn McGlumphy. New Philadelphia seniors Riley Randolph and Marilyn Stokey will share the role of Dew Drop.
Also featured are Allie Bonvechio and Sydney Hilton as the Snow Queen and Laney Lanzer and Alexandria Sica, who will share the role of the Arab. The Flute Dance will be shared by Sierra Minard, Kwynn Tristano, Lyv McGraw and Elle Baughman. Jacob Flood, a Dover junior, and Eric Lanzer, a Dover senior, will play the roles of the Prince and the Horseman.
Production began at the Little Theater in New Philadelphia. After 14 years, he moved to Founders Hall at KSU Tuscarawas. With a relationship already established with the university, the transition to the new center, the Performing Arts Center, was smooth, Beitzel said.
During the COVID pandemic, when the PAC was closed, the performance was moved to the Ohio Star Theater in Sugarcreek, with limited seating and dancers and audience members wearing face coverings.
In honor of the 30th anniversary, there will be live music and a slideshow of past performances in the lobby before each performance. Tickets are $18. They can be purchased at the Kent State box office or online at www.tuscarawasdanceartscenter.com.
