‘The Nutcracker,’ presented by the Catskill Ballet Theatre

The Catskill Ballet Theatre continues its beloved holiday tradition, presenting its 37th annual Nutcracker production or “The Nutcracker” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 13 and 14, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at Ulster Performing Arts Center, 601 Broadway, Kingston. This holiday ballet follows the enchanted adventures of young Clara, from a lavish Christmas party, to a battle with an evil King Mouse, and then to the magnificent Land of Sweets, where she meets the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier and is entertained with delightful dances from around the world. The Catskill Ballet Theatre is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to provide the residents and visitors to the Hudson Valley classical ballet performances, while offering opportunities to student dancers to be part of professional productions. Their annual “Nutcracker” is the longest-running ballet production in the region. Yinet Fernandez of the Dance Theatre of Harlem will return to reprise her roles of the Snow Fairy and Sugar Plum Fairy. Yinet will be partnered by José Carlos Losada Morales of the National Ballet of Cuba, who is also returning. Claire Mazza, as Arabian Coffee, trained at the School of American Ballet. Morgan Stinnett, of the Texas Ballet Theater, is Harlequin in the first act and Coffee in the second act. Mathew Ortiz, Ballet Academy East, dances as the Soldier Doll and Lead Candy Cane. Local dancers include David Loewen as the King Mouse and Ellis Lader as Herr Drosselmeyer. Clara will be danced by Beatrix Airhart and Magdalyn VanWagenen in alternating performances. Katie Hutton and Marin Prosser will share the role of the Nutcracker, and Fritz will be performed by Erin Machung. This “Nutcracker” season marks the final production under founder and artistic director Anne Hebard. Anne formed the Catskill Ballet Theatre in 1981. Tickets for the performance are $30, $25 for students and seniors. Call the UPAC box office at 845-339-6088 or Ticketmaster at 845-454-3388 or purchase online at Ticketmaster.com.