Local Performance Adapted With Children In Mind

More than 125 years after its debut, “The Nutcracker” remains one of the most iconic holiday performances in history.  Every December the Tchaikovsky ballet pops up in venues across Central Kentucky. But one particular performance has been tweaked with young audience members in mind.

The Bluegrass Youth Ballet has created a new tradition with “The Nutcracker” by condensing the ballet into one act, instead of the original two act performance.

“We curated our Nutcracker for families with children in mind,” said Bluegrass Youth Ballet Founder Adalhi Aranda. “Our Nutcracker is a little over one hour and it is colorful, fun, exciting and professionally produced.”

The show still features the Nutcracker coming to life to save Clara from the Rat Queen and whisking her away to the magical kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Aranda believes the shorter run time, along with seeing their peers on stage, is what keeps children so captivated during the show.

“The story is condensed but we kept all the good dancing parts in,” said Aranda. “We believe that the best way to inspire children is with other children.”

Showtime are Friday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. at the Singletary Center for the Arts. Tickets start at $17.

For more information call 271-4472 or visit www.bluegrassyouthballet.org