Top Stories St. Paul

- Ballet Minnesota celebrates its 22nd year of performing The Classic Nutcracker at the O’Shaughnessy Auditorium at St. Catherine University, December 18-20, 2009.

This magical holiday event boasts over 130 local, national and international dancers, vibrant choreography by Andrew Rist, Artistic Director of Ballet Minnesota, and exquisite costumes by Cheryl Rist, Costume Designer and Director of Classical Ballet Academy, sought after for her costuming worldwide. Additionally, audiences will be dazzled by internationally renowned guest soloists, Oksana Konobeyeva, formerly with the Bolshoi Theater, and Alexey Agudin, with the American Ballet Theater, performing the roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier.

For novices to the holiday ballet, the story begins on Christmas Eve. We join a young girl, Clara, her mischievous brother Fritz and their family hosting a party. A latecomer to the party is Clara’s mysterious Godfather Drosselmeyer. He presents her with a marvelous gift, a Nutcracker doll. As Clara goes to sleep that night, we are transported into a fantasy of the Rat King fighting the toy soldiers, The Nutcracker Prince escorting Clara through the enchanted snow-covered forest and on to his Kingdom of the Sweets where Clara accepts the throne from the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Purchase your tickets now! Call Ticketmaster 1-800-982-2787 or go to the O’Shaughnessy Box Office (for more information, call 651-690-6700.) Ask about group rates!

Performances:
Friday, December 18th, 7:30pm
Saturday, December 19th, 2:00pm
Saturday, December 19th, 7:30pm
Sunday, December 20th, 2:00pm
Tickets: $15-$40. Special Group Rates are available.

Additionally, three special performances for school groups are scheduled for December 16, 17 and 18, during school hours. Tickets are available for only $6 for this event. For more information or to make a reservation call 651-731-9129 or email poozelle@usfamily.net