Stage

Valley Will Host Two Nutcracker Ballets for Holiday Season

Emily Kinzel |

The Moscow Ballet presents The Great Russian Nutcracker
The Moscow Ballet presents The Great Russian Nutcracker

Get ready, because it’s tutu season! Ballerinas are taking the Chippewa Valley by storm, offering us all the gift of holiday spirit. In the upcoming months, two performances of the Christmas classic, The Nutcracker, are being staged by two different ballet companies. The Moscow Ballet gets a head start performing its interpretation, The Great Russian Nutcracker, on Sunday, Nov. 26, from 3-5pm at The State Theatre. General admission costs anywhere between $28-68, but if you’re looking to be up close and personal with the dancers, VIP tickets are available for $102. (Prices are subject to change.) All are welcome to attend and experience the true artistry of the world-class Russian dancers. If you miss the first Nutcracker experience, don’t fret: The St. Paul Ballet performs Clara’s Dream: The Nutcracker on Friday, Dec. 15, from 7:30-9:30pm at the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts in Menomonie. Tickets are priced between $25-30. Behold as our Minnesotan neighbors bring magic to life, showcasing their skill and grace. Enjoy the fairy-like ballerinas as they float across the stage in vibrant, festive costumes. The beautiful collaboration of the powerful “Russian Dance” and the mesmerizing “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” will make you feel as if you’re in a dream. But beware! Both performances are known to sell out quickly, so purchase tickets while they’re still available. Chassé your way to Christmas and attend the Moscow or St. Paul Ballet – or both if you’re lucky – for the holiday performance of a lifetime.