Columbia City Ballet brings Nutcracker to Sumter

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FROM STAFF REPORTS

We know the holiday season is approaching when you hear the Nutcracker is coming to town.

William Starrett and Columbia City Ballet will bring South Carolina's largest professional production of Nutcracker to Sumter for two performances at Patriot Hall, 135 Haynsworth St., on Nov. 23 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

In its 59th year of performances, the company invites you to get into the holiday spirit with this family friendly ballet featuring a charming story and dance.

"This is a production complete with astounding sets, scenery and hundreds of costumes - it's a fully professional, once-in-a-lifetime holiday event," Starrett said in a news release.

Columbia City Ballet's Nutcracker is the largest, continuously running, performing arts event produced in the state and will be touring nine cities across the Southeast this year, Sumter being the first, according to the release.

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. Clara throws her slipper at the Mouse Queen and saves the Prince. The two enter the magical Land of Sweets and meet the Sugar Plum Fairy, portrayed by South Carolina Ballet's ballerina, Claire Williams. To honor Clara for having saved the Prince, sweets from all over the world perform for her. The celebration ends with a final waltz where visions of sugar plums dance in Clara's head.

Tickets for Nutcracker can be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com.