The 16th Annual Nutcracker

Experience the Magic of Christmas at the Nutcracker

This year’s performances will be held on Friday December 9th at 7pm & Saturday December 10th at 2pm at the Bourne High School.

The Cape Cod Dance Center has been presenting the holiday classic, “The Nutcracker” for sixteen consecutive years.

The production has been a part of the holiday tradition for both the family involved in the production and our audience members.

The ballet production is directed and choreographed by studio owner Eveline Carle with a cast of over 80 members, including professional dancers, alumnae and students currently enrolled in Ms. Carle’s ballet program.

“The Nutcracker” is an elaborate ballet that was first brought to life in 1892. Since its inception, audiences from around the world have seen hundreds of versions performed by thousands of dance troupes and companies. The Cape Cod Dance Center’s production is not only exquisitely performed, it is also very entertaining. Ms. Carle’s humor shines through from the first scene of the ballet in the sprightliness of the Party Scene, to the amusing cooks who bring giant-sized cakes to Clara—the lead character of the ballet—as she enters the magical "Land of the Sweets."

The story unfolds on a cozy Christmas Eve at the Stahlbaum’s house. As the Stahlbaum’s prepare for their annual Christmas party, their children, Fritz and Clara, wait anxiously for their family and friends to arrive. It is Godfather Drosselmeyer, the toymaker, who surprises the children with unusual gifts. At the stroke of midnight, Clara wakes up to a frightening scene. The house, the tree and the toys seem to be getting larger. After a terrifying fight between mice and toy soldiers, Clara is carried through the snow to a wonderful world where dreams and magic are one and the same. 

The sceneries and costumes transport the audience member to the Victorian era. The Christmas fantasy is captivating for the whole family. The audience members have raved about the local production over the years. "It was really well done," said East Falmouth resident, Wendy Ghelfi. "It was every bit as good as Boston," said Nancy Quiqq, from North Falmouth.

This year's Clara is performed by Falmouth-resident Abigail Blatchford, daughter of Sandra Blatchford and Carl Gustafson. Abigail has been dancing at the dance center for six years. She is also an accomplished gymnast; in addition to her regular dance training three days a week, she also practices gymnastics five days a week.

Performing as the Nutcracker Prince is Yarmouth resident JC Stahl.  Mr. Stahl danced with the Poughkeepsie Ballet and Southwest Ballet in Albuquerque, NM.  He has performed locally with Mid-Cape Ballet, Cape Rep, the Academy of Performing Arts and Studio 878's TIDES Dance Company for over two decades. Mr. Stahl will also be dancing the roles of the Harlequin doll and Russian. He is joined on stage by partner, Antonia Stephens, co-director of the TIDES Dance Company, who has also been performing locally for a decade. Ms. Stephens will be performing the role of the Rat King.

Tickets can be purchased over the phone with a credit card by calling 508-564-6165, or in person at Eight Cousins Bookstore on Main Street, Falmouth. Tickets are $18 for kids 18 and under, $22 for adults and $20 for seniors. Children 3 and under can come in for free. Group ticket sales are available; please call the school directly for more details.

Please note: this show is suitable for children but we ask you to be considerate of our audience if your child gets restless during the performance.