(Enlarge) Taking part in Columbia's unique "Nutcracker On Ice" are Greeshma Anand, Sarah Lanier and Mary Parks.

Even in a shaky economy, American dance companies expect to earn at least a quarter of their annual revenue via "Nutcracker" productions. Local troupes also have a commitment to the stream of dance lovers both on and offstage who make these annual visits to the land of sugar plum fairies, twirling snowflakes and marching soldiers such a perennial family treat.

Here in Howard County, Donna Pidel, Ballet Royale's founding director, has an eye for talent and a big heart for welcoming back former protégés, many of whom have gone on to professional careers.

Look no farther than Katherine Williams, now a full-fledged dancer with American Ballet Theater. Williams came up through the Royale ranks, progressing from the adorable Clara to the coveted role of Sugar Plum Fairy in the Tchaikovsky chestnut.

The Howard County native brings her winning smile and high-flying leaps back to Ballet Royale's "The Nutcracker" at The Jim Rouse Theatre for the Performing Arts at Wilde Lake High School Saturday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. An earlier company performance of the classic that day at 1 p.m. will feature many of Pidel's new crop of rising stars in the lead roles. Tickets are $20 general, with group and military discounts available.

When it comes to "The Nutcracker," the Howard County Ballet has one thing that's still pretty rare to find in a local production - live symphonic music. The Howard County Ballet Orchestra accompanies the on stage dancers -- plus director Kathi Ferguson's roster of chosen stars -- at Reservoir High School Dec. 19-21. Special rates begin at $15 general and $10 for senior citizens, students and children. The latter will especially get a kick out of the rowdy boy-soldiers and little girl-mice as that yearly indoor tree just grows and grows. For information, go to www.howardcountyballet.org, or call 410-465-9414.

Marcia Lachman started producing her annual staging of "The Nutcracker" nearly a quarter century ago. Columbia's first dance teacher emphasizes tradition in the unique Arabesque Dance Company adaptation. It will be performed in The Jim Rouse Theatre Dec. 20 at 1 and 3:15 p.m. and Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. This show is highly recommended for kindergarten age -- a time when belief is overwhelmed by the on-stage magic of the music and costumes.

Alternatives abound

Howard County's Kinetics Dance Theater has its own take on "Nuts" when it performs a bit of ballet, modern, jazz and hip hop in "The Cracked Nut" at the Howard County Center for the Arts Dec. 6 at 1:30 and 3 p.m. Tickets are $5. Did we mention a sprinkling of swing dancing and synchronized swimming? Call 410-480-1686 or go to www.kineticsdance.org.

Misako Ballet, both company and student dancers from the Harper's Choice Village Center, are about to celebrate the season with a "Holiday Studio Concert" Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $3. Here is a real treat for the little ones as they join the "real dancers" on stage. Her Misako Ballet Company will perform its annual winter program at the Howard County Center for the Arts Dec. 28. Master jazz specialist, Lester Holmes, has created a hot dance to take away the winter chill. Call 410-884-9640; the Web site is www.misakoballet.com.

For the serious balletomane who craves real Russian dancing - meaning those mind-boggling twists and turns in the air, endless pirouettes, and awesome poses - don't miss L'Etoile Ballet and its "Masquerade" debut at Slayton House in Wilde Lake Village Dec. 7 at 3 p.m. This original production by Svetlana Kravtsova and Vadim Pijicov features young, talented dancers from the studio and beyond. Tickets are $15 general, with discounts for seniors, students and little ones. Call 443-393-1197 to reserve the very limited tickets.

The performing wing of Ballet With Cindee Velle in Long Reach is presenting a one-hour abridged version of "The Nutcracker Suite" deemed perfect for all ages. Dance selections include the children's march, the waltzing flowers and numerous solo variations. Of course, there is also the famed battle scene with mice and soldiers.

Dates and times of the performances are as varied as the locations, which are: Maryland State Fair Grounds (Sunday, Nov. 30 at 5 p.m.); the Besaman Center at Fairhaven Retirement Community in Sykesville (Dec. 7 at 3 p.m.); Claret Hall in the River Hill Community Center (Dec. 6 at 2 and 4 p.m.; to reserve free seats in advance, call 410-531-1749); Stonehouse in the Long Reach Village (Dec. 14 at 4 p.m.; (advanced reservations required); Catonsville's Charlestown Retirement Community (Dec. 20, call for time; $3 donation requested); and in the Great Room at Historic Savage Mill (Dec. 23 at 7:30 p.m.; admission $4). Call 410-465-7674 or go to www.cindeevelleballet.com for more information.

'Nuts' on ice and more

The Columbia Figure Skating Club's "Nutcracker on Ice" is the only ice skating show of its kind in this region. With more than 100 performers ranging in age from 4 through adults, the troupe features many are high-level skaters along with a litter-and-a-half of adorable newcomers. These shows rank high on dance critics' lists. They take place in the Columbia Ice Rink (410-730-0322) at the Oakland Mills Village Center, Dec. 20 and 21. Tickets are $10 general and free for children younger than 3. Advance reservations are recommended, as shows sell out quickly. And don't forget a warm, snuggly wrap for the little ones.

Kudos to Kimmary Williams and Jacob Rice for the newest "Nutcracker" in our area.The Central Maryland Youth Ballet is readying "A Petite Version" geared especially for kids at Slayton House in the Wilde Lake Village Center, Dec. 13 and 14 at 3 p.m. Directed by the Joffrey-trained husband-and-wife team, the show promises to be a winner. Tickets are $10 general. Call 443-472-4772, and check out their winter schedule of dance classes, including one for ice skaters.

This year, I am taking my 3-year-old granddaughter to "The Nutcracker" presented by the talented students at the Phoenix Rising Dance Center. This holiday staging should be the ideal child's introduction to the world of fantasy ballet. See this full-length production at Slayton House Dec. 19 and 20. Go to www.phoenixrisingdance.com for more information.

A bit farther afield

"The Nutcracker" has been a tradition in our state's capital city as long as we've been previewing the holiday ballet. The Ballet Theatre of Maryland performs its particularly sweet rendition of "The Nutcracker" in the Maryland Hall for Creative Arts Dec. 13, 14 and 21. For a fun and different approach, check out "Case of the Missing Nutcracker," in which audiences are asked to collect all the clues and help Clara crack the case. To order tickets by phone, call 410-263-5544 or go to www.tickets.marylandhall.org.

After just three years in "The Nutcracker" market, the Olney Ballet Theater version is already a hit. Inspired by the late Mary Day, this classic telling unfolds amid wonderful sets and costumes on the historic stage at the Olney Theatre Center, Dec. 12-27. There's even a special Christmas Eve show planned. Tickets range from $15 to $35, depending on the date, with discounts for students. The Inn at Brookeville Farms will host a special "Nutcracker Tea" with Olney cast members on Sunday, Dec. 14 for $45. Call 301-774-3032.

The Maryland Youth Ballet offers a seasoned "Nutcracker," thanks to the longtime director Tensia Fonseca and ballet master Michelle Lees. Take the kids to this "Nuts," with its brilliant dancing and child-friendly variations, in the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center at Montgomery College, Rockville Campus, Dec. 19-28. For details, call 301-608-2232 or go to www.montgomerycollege.edu/PAC.

A Frederick holiday tradition in its 29th year, The Maryland Regional Ballet features guest artists from the New York City Ballet and Suzanne Farrell Ballet in "The Nutcracker" at Frederick's Weinberg Center for the Arts (301-228-2828) Dec. 12-14. Tickets range from $10 to $20. Check it out on www.weinbergcenter.org.

Baltimore unplugged

For sheer splendor and elegant dancing, nothing tops the Moscow Ballet's Great Russian "Nutcracker" at the Lyric Opera House (410-547-SEAT) Dec. 19-21. This touring company offers splendid ballet in every sense, from grand dancing to a live orchestra, a full corps de ballet, including area children, and some of the best dancers from all over the former Soviet Union. This is the one for balletomanes. Call 410-547-SEAT or go to www.nutcacker.com.

Baltimore's premiere modern dancer-choreographer, Stephanie Powell, gathers children from the inner-city along with professional friends and students for her inspired, black-themed "Nutcracker." Call 410-233-1101 for information on "The City Nutcracker 2008" at Coppin State University's James Weldon Johnson Theater, Dec. 20 and 21.

Produced and directed by the talented husband-and-wife team of Cem and Elisabeth Catbas, the Baltimore Ballet Company performs a superb version of "The Nutcracker," with professional dancers and local students, at Goucher College's Kraushaar Auditorium Dec. 13 and 14. Always a sell-out, call ahead to 410-337-6333 for up-to-date ticket information.

For 22 years, families throughout our region have celebrated the holidays with the Baltimore School for the Arts' delightful performances of "The Nutcracker." Here is a contemporary version of the classical ballet story. Eight performances will be danced in the school's Schaefer Ballroom Dec. 5-14. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students. Call 410-624-2103 or go to www.bsfa.org.

The Carroll County Dance will present ""The Nutcracker" at the Gordon Center for Performing Arts in Owings Mills Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. The cast consists of dancers and actors from Carroll, Howard and Baltimore counties, as well as professional lighting, sound and dramatic sets. Adults and children can meet Clara and her friends at the "Nutcracker Tea" Sunday, Dec. 9 at 1 p.m. Call 410-795-3255 for details.

Down D.C. way

As Washington, D.C. gets ready for a new administration, it also has a number of seasonal "Nutcrackers" to consider. A few blocks down Pennsylvania Ave. from the White House, the Washington Ballet will perform its hot-ticket "Nutcracker" 25 times at the Warner Theater from Dec. 11-28. This was the production that once made space for the first daughter, Chelsea Clinton, who took part in the famous party scene.

Director Septime Webber pleases all viewers with a localized setting that features sets and costumes from a Georgetown perspective, circa the nation's founding. President Washington appears in heroic red, white and blue, while the dark, sinister Rat turns out to be none other than King George II!

It's a delightful rendition geared for adoring grandparents who bring the little ones to their first "Nutcracker." There's also a special "Tea With Clara" at the classy Willard Hotel. Call 202-889-8150 for tickets, starting at $29.

Chicago's Joffrey Ballet brings back its charming Victorian rendition of "The Nutcracker" to the Kennedy Center Dec. 11-14. Robert Joffrey's staging beams brightly from start to finish, and Gerald Arpino's waltzes are perennial crowd-pleasers. Tickets range from $47 to $150.

Standing-room tickets become available one hour before the show. However, we don't recommend this for the little ones who need to be settled in their seats for the bravura dancing, especially by the guys. For information on all Kennedy Center holiday events, including New Year's Eve festivities, call 800-444-1324 or go to www.kennedy-center.org.

user comments (1)

user yassi says...

Hey, Can I get more info about the hip hop version of "The Cracked Nut" ? I wish to get a video for "Hip Hop Pow!" which have got an hip hop dance videos page. Any video online of the Kinetics Dance Theater?

Posted 8:11 PM, 01.10.09 | Permalink