Philadelphia Dance Theatre will present its 25th anniversary production of "A Philadelphia Nutcracker" at Montgomery County Community College's Cultural Center Theatre next month, featuring a distinctly local spin on the holiday classic.
The production, set in Victorian-era Germantown, reimagines the traditional ballet against familiar Philadelphia backdrops, including the historic Thomas Mansion and Fairmount Park's "Tommy's Hill." The second act transports audiences to a candy-decorated version of Chestnut Hill's shopping district.
Performances will be presented Dec. 14 to 15 and the company will also offer a special abbreviated sensory-friendly performance on Dec. 15 designed for audiences with autism, sensory sensitivities, or other disabilities.
The production features a cast of 100 dancers, including returning alumni Laura Gruener as Sugar Plum Fairy, fresh from performing with the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, and Bishop Kaschock-Marenda as Cavalier, currently with Baltimore Ballet. Local dancers Eden Kollnesher of Ambler, Maron Felliciani of Flourtown, and Elise Lee of Chestnut Hill will alternate in the role of Clara.
Artistic Director Joy Delaney-Capponi's choreography will be complemented by Christopher Fox's backdrops and costumes by Joan Fox and Gina Shifferly.
For information, visit philadancetheatre.org/nutcracker.
