Johnstown, Pennsylvania is set to be the stage for a magical holiday experience with the classic ballet "The Nutcracker". The Johnstown Concert Ballet is all set to present this enchanting tale through their performances at the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center on the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown campus.

Why "The Nutcracker" is a Johnstown Tradition

Eden Ihrig, the executive artistic director of the company, emphasizes the significance of "The Nutcracker" in Johnstown. Carla Prucnal's unique set and costume design, which was crafted by her own hand and not relying on traditional backdrops, has made this ballet a must-see holiday staple. The community's support has allowed it to grow and become an integral part of the town's holiday season.For the dancers, "The Nutcracker" is more than just a performance. They look forward to it each year and have been wearing their Nutcracker gear since August. It is a magical experience that they will always remember.

New Additions to the Ballet

This year, the company has added two new dances to the ballet. The Candy Cane dance features 16 little dancers dressed like candy canes and holding hula hoops. The music is brand new and adds a cute element to the performance.Another addition is a dance where the roles from the Land of Sweets introduce Clara to the Land of Sweets. This addition has excited the dancers and audiences alike.

The Coveted Role of Clara

Meradi Knapp, a student at Bishop McCort Catholic High School, and Emily Thompson, a student at Windber Area High School, will share the coveted role of Clara. Ihrig encourages them to make the character their own and has seen significant growth in their personalities and dance training over the past couple of months.

The Prince and Other Roles

Pittsburgh dancer Benjamin Jacobs will dance the role of the prince. Chase Bennethum has landed the comedic role of Fritz, Clara's brother. Professional dancers from Pittsburgh will take on some of the principal roles, including Audrey Kauffman as the Sugar Plum Fairy, Ernest Tolentino as Drosselmyer, and Jailen Riley and Demarion Thomas as coffee/spice dancers. Father Christmas will be portrayed by John Barnes, and other roles will be danced by members of the community.

The Dancers' Hard Work

The dancers have been working tirelessly to present top-notch performances. With a lot of young dancers, they have been working hard to meet the company's normal standards. Despite having a short time to learn, they are retaining everything like champs. Ihrig is proud of their progress and hopes that audiences will be impressed by the quality of the performing arts in Johnstown.

Getting Tickets

Tickets for the performances are $22 and can be purchased by calling 814-536-7599 or online at www.johnstownconcertballet.org.