Gatlinburg’s Nutcracker “Sweet”

Gatlinburg’s Nutcracker “Sweet” returns this holiday season for two performances at the W.L. Mills Conference Center.

There are certain things you look forward to with each oncoming holiday season, and for those of us fortunate enough to call the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee home, one of those things is the Great Smoky Mountain Dance Theatre’s yearly presentation of The Nutcracker “Sweet” at the W.L. Mills conference center in Gatlinburg. The classic ballet will run from November 23-24. It’s a two-night show that features local dancers from Sevier, Knox and Jefferson counties, is very popular and has become one of those holiday events that gets marked on the calendar months in advance.

The Nutcracker, for those who aren’t familiar is not your typical ballet. It’s full of common ballet moves and choreography, but it’s a story that you can really get into unlike other ballets that can include bits of foreign language and topics. This holiday adaptation begins at a Christmas Eve party held in a German home. As a brother and sister delight in their godfather’s entertaining party story complete with life-size robotic dolls, the sister, Clara, receives a nutcracker as a gift from someone. It’s a short-lived happiness as her brother breaks the gift. Clara is chased by a pack of mice following the party when she comes to check on her broken toy. From there, Clara’s nutcracker must defeat the mouse king, and lead Clara on a holiday journey you’re not soon to forget.

Tickets for the show range from $10-25, and are cheapest when bought in advance. Shows are at 7 p.m. in the W.L. Mills Auditorium. Call (865) 680-7369 for information and reservations..

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