The Nutcracker (McAninch)

Chicago Festival Ballet brings holiday magic and mirth to McAninch Arts Center with Kenneth von Heidecke’s The Nutcracker. The production features live accompaniment by New Philharmonic Orchestra, under the direction of Conductor Kirk Muspratt.

Chicago Festival Ballet celebrates its 17th year bringing the holiday classic to the MAC’s stage. The company also performs in Joliet and Chicago and tours nationally with the production, earning accolades around the country.

Chicago Festival Ballet’s The Nutcracker is choreographed by founder and director, Kenneth von Heidecke. Known for an artistic style that underscores the precision and discipline of ballet, von Heidecke aptly blends technical prowess, refined athleticism and crowd-pleasing acrobatics in his celebrated version of the holiday classic.

Coupled with festive staging, the production is brought to life by a diverse cast of company members whose credentials include the Joffrey Ballet, Lyric Opera Ballet, National Ballet of Cuba, Ballet Internacional de Caracas and Luna Negra Dance Theatre. Students from Von Heidecke’s School of Ballet will also join the cast.

Tchaikovsky’s score is skillfully performed by New Philharmonic Orchestra, a fully-professional, 80-member orchestra under the direction of Conductor and Music Director Kirk Muspratt, recently named a Chicagoan of the Year in the arts.