Sugar Loaf. Annual Nutcracker performance at Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center this weekend

On Saturday, Nov. 27, shoppers along Main Street in the Village of Warwick were surprised to see that what appeared to be mannequins in the window of Fizzy Lifting Soda Pop Candy Shop were in fact dancers dressed in beautiful, festive costumes.

Warwick Dance Collective members were promoting the region’s premier full-length production of “The Nutcracker” at the Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center, with five performances throughout the weekend of Dec. 3–5.

This production brings the classic winter fairytale spectacularly to life, with professional guest artists, vibrant costumes and scenery, sparkling snowfall and even a magical 20-foot growing Christmas tree. Performers include members of the Warwick Dance Collective, students from the Warwick Center for the Performing Arts, Northern Academy of the Arts, Fei Tian College and professional guest artists.

For this restaging, Director Melissa Padham-Maass invited local experts in classical Chinese dance, Spanish flamenco and traditional Middle Eastern belly dancing to collaborate on the Chinese, Spanish and Arabian divertissements, bringing the Land of the Sweets into the twenty-first century with truly authentic choreography.

The production also features choreography by Padham-Maass, Lucinda Henry, Tami Small, Barrington Hinds and Shawn Rawls, and is based on The Warwick Ballet Theatre’s original choreography by Lucinda Henry.

This family-friendly production transports audience members along Clara’s captivating journey from her home on Christmas Eve, through a dream world of brave toy soldiers, dancing snowflakes, enchanting confections and of course, a real-life Nutcracker prince.

For younger children, there is also an opportunity to visit the “Land of Sweets Boutique” before each performance for a ballerina makeover as well as a hot chocolate bar.

Performances are this Friday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 4, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 5, at noon and 5 p.m.

Tickets are on sale at warwickperformingarts.com. To enquire about group rates, email info@warwickperformingarts.com.

Tickets are also available at the door.

For additional information, visit warwickperformingarts.com.

- Roger Gavan