Engage Dance Theatre to present ‘The Nutcracker’ at Raue Center

Engage Dance Theatre and the Raue Center for the Arts will present “The Nutcracker” at 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 21 and 22, with a special sensory-friendly performance at 6 p.m. Dec. 20.

“From dancing to acting and even tumbling, Engage’s ‘Nutcracker’ has something for everyone,” Engage Dance Theatre artistic director Courtney Petrocci said in a statement. “This year, the production includes the addition of several new elements to keep the show fresh and exciting for our audience.

“Engage Dance Theatre’s ‘The Nutcracker’ is an annual holiday tradition at Raue Center, featuring professional guest artists formerly with the Milwaukee Ballet and English National Ballet, as well as more professional sets and costumes from the Milwaukee Ballet’s previous ‘Nutcracker.’”

“The Nutcracker” is co-produced by Engage Dance Theatre/Academy and the Raue Center for the Arts.

Join Clara at her annual Christmas Eve party at the Staulbaum house, enjoying a night full of celebration, dancing and magic. As the party comes to a close, Clara sneaks downstairs to find her new nutcracker doll and falls asleep dreaming of her wonderful evening. Clara, startled awake by a group of mischievous mice, takes on an exciting journey with Drosselmeyer and her nutcracker.

This reimagined production of “The Nutcracker” features more than 100 performers and guest artists from renowned dance and theater companies throughout the U.S., according to a news release from the Raue Center.

The sensory-friendly performance Dec. 20 includes a special one-hour presentation with open seating and reduced house size with softer lighting and sound effects.

Tickets are $32 for most adults and $20 for students 17 and younger and seniors. Tickets for the sensory-friendly performance are $25 for adults and $17 for students. Tickets can be bought online at rauecenter.org or via the box office at 815-356-9212 or at 26 N. Williams St. in downtown Crystal Lake.