Cleveland Ballet: The Nutcracker

Cleveland Ballet: The Nutcracker at Connor Palace Theatre

Some traditions feel routine. This one still feels like a gift. Connor Palace Theatre hosts Cleveland Ballet's The Nutcracker on Friday, December 11, with Tchaikovsky's score driving the evening.

This is a live ballet where music, movement and design work together. You can feel the room hold its breath at the quiet moments and burst into applause at the big ones. Ballet rewards first-timers as much as longtime fans. The story is clear, the music is recognizable and the dancers carry the emotion with every leap and turn. When the Sugar Plum Fairy arrives, or when the battle scene snaps into motion, the impact is bigger seen live than skimmed past in a holiday playlist.

It is a polished evening for people who know this ballet well and for anyone who wants a holiday outing more memorable than another night on the couch. Connor Palace is one of Playhouse Square's historic downtown theatres, with the scale and atmosphere to make a big production feel like an occasion. Friday night is a natural time for a big night out. It falls early in the run. Two performances are scheduled for this date, so you can pick the one that suits your day. Make it a family tradition, or start one this year. Get The Nutcracker tickets for Friday, December 11 and choose your performance.