Confluence Ballet Co. Presents
![](https://kelly-strayhorn.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/nutcracker_0181_pp_lowsat-1.jpg)
Nutcracker for a Difference
Saturday, December 17
2:00pm and 7:00pm
Kelly Strayhorn Theater | 5941 Penn Ave.
Tickets: $35 at door, $30 pre order, $25 for seniors, college students, ages 5-17
$22 group orders (12 or more)
Free for children 5 and under
Experience the magic of the beloved tale of The Nutcracker in a new, jazzy way: Confluence Ballet Company is proudly partnering with other non-profits to present Nutcracker for a Difference on December 17th with music from Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, and David Berger. The story begins at Drosselmeyer’s annual holiday cocktail party. Her young goddaughter, Clara, and Clara’s best friend, Marie, sneak into the cocktail hour. They are intrigued when Drosselmeyer; the magic toy maker gifts Clara a Nutcracker doll, with which Clara is immediately enamored. After the party, Clara dances the evening away with her Nutcracker, and falls into a deep slumber. She awakes to an attack from the evil Rat Queen, who has come to battle her Nutcracker doll, that has now come to life. The Rat Queen is slain, but Nutcracker is terribly injured. Clara is devastated, but Mrs. Stahlbaum transforms into the Snow Queen, and heals Nutcracker with her magic. Clara and Nutcracker dance, and the Snow Queen leads them through the magical land of snow to the land of the sweets, where they are introduced to the Sugar Plum Fairy, her Cavalier, and the court of assorted treats.
Photos by: A.J. Smith