'The Nutcracker' opens Dec. 10 at the Schwartz Center

This year’s Ballet Theatre of Dover annual holiday tradition returns to Dover’s Schwartz Center for the Arts for performances at 2 and 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 10, and at 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec 12.

An evil spell has transformed a handsome prince into an ugly Nutcracker doll, and the pure love and courage of a young girl breaks the spell. The first scene of Act 1 is held at the home of the Stahlbaums on Christmas Eve, where Uncle Drosselmeyer gives Clara, a young girl, a special doll that nobody had wanted because of its ugliness. There are dances for the guests and their children, and for the different dolls - Ballerina doll, the Soldier doll and the Jester doll.

Scene 2 from Act 1 features a big battle scene between the Nutcracker Doll and his soldiers against the Rat King, and his army of mean and menacing rats who terrorize Clara. Her Nutcracker doll, now life size, goes to her defense. Clara risks her life to save her Nutcracker doll, and the Nutcracker doll delivers the fatal blow to the Rat King.  In his place is now a handsome Prince, who is eternally grateful to Clara. He takes her on a journey to the Kingdom of Sweets led by little angelstars. The Snow Queen and the Snowflakes dance for them in the Kingdom of Snow.The dances from Act II bring an international flavor to the Kingdom of Sweets, from coffee in Arabia to tea in China. The Gingerbread House has also been a highlight of Act II in the ballet. With the entrance of the feisty gingerbreads from the candy-decorated house topped with a smoking chimney, the fun begins . They are followed by bon-bons, gumdrops and the Ribbon Fairy. Clara also finds herself surrounded by beautiful flowers who dance for her. Eventually, the Prince and Clara dance a beautiful pas de deux together, one of the highlights of the classical ballet repertoire.

Dance Conservatory alumna Sara Biscardi, 21, will dance the dual role of Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy in this version, which closely follows the original Russian presentation. Sara, as other Sugar Plum Fairies before her did, rose through the ranks, having danced in the production as an angelstar, party girl, and soldier,  all beginner-level roles.  Ashley Tiedgen, 17, will dance as the Snow Queen, and Allison Wilkins, 14, will lead the Waltz of the Flowers as DewDrop.

Tickets are available at the Schwartz Center at $ 20 for adults and $15 for seniors and students

Call the Schwartz Center at 302-678–5152. For more information about "The Nutcracker," visit the Ballet Theatre of Dover’s website at www.dancebtd.com.

A Nutcracker Tea will be held at McNinch Hall at the Schwartz at 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 10.  The event is sponsored by Read Aloud Delaware. For tickets, call 302-674–4423.