Baton Rouge, La — The Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre (BRBT), accompanied by the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, will perform The Nutcracker—A Tale from the Bayou at the River Center Theatre for the Performing Arts on Saturday, December 15 and Sunday, December 16, with performances at 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. each day.

Often called the crown jewel of the Baton Rouge holiday season, this beloved production features a unique south Louisiana flavor. World-class guest artist Corina Gill of Boston Ballet will make her Baton Rouge debut as the Sugar Plum Fairy and will be accompanied by principal dancer Carlos Molina as her Cavalier. The duo will be joined by pre-professional corps and soloists from the Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre Company. Local celebrities and more than 300 children are cast in this year’s performance.

“This is the one chance we have each year to see so many Baton Rouge artists combined with world-class guest artists working together to bring joy to Baton Rouge audiences,” said Molly Buchmann, BRBT artistic director. “When you consider the talented guest and local dancers, the Baton Rouge Symphony musicians, the River Center crew, and our brilliant designers, you see that there are literally hundreds of artists creating this Christmas present for Baton Rouge. It's theatre on a grand scale presented with love.”

Tickets range from $20-$42 and may be purchased through the BRBT office at (225) 766-8379, through the River Center Box Office and at all Ticketmaster outlets.

BRBT Artistic Directors Molly Buchmann and Sharon Mathews have created a distinctive version of the timeless classic, which revolves around an imaginative girl, Clara, who receives a nutcracker for Christmas. The story unfolds as only a south Louisiana Clara could imagine: her home is a grand antebellum plantation, the snow falls on a majestic oak alley and the Sugar Plum Fairy’s castle is Baton Rouge’s own Old State Capitol.

For more information contact the BRBT Office at (225) 766-8379 or visit www.batonrougeballet.org.