The 15th annual performances of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” were held December 13 and December 14 at Lee High School Auditorium. Both performances were nearly sold out with more than 2,000 total attendees.

Guest artists were Amy Fote and Nicholas Leschke, Principal Dancers with Houston Ballet, dancing the roles of Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier. Johnny Simons returned as Herr Drosselmeyer; Christopher Fellows danced as Snow Prince and Arabian, and Joseph Goodman as Soldier Doll and Candy Cane Soloist. More than 100 local performers of all ages danced beautifully, accompanied by the Midland-Odessa Symphony conducted by Diane Hilbert.

Complimentary tickets were provided to local service agencies including Casa de Amigos, High Sky Children’s Ranch, Midland Fair Havens, Midland Association for Retarded Citizens (MARC) and Safe Place of the Permian Basin. THANK YOU TO ALL PARENTS AND VOLUNTEERS WHO WORKED ON THE COMMITTEES TO SUPPORT THE PERFORMANCES!

THANKS also to all the studios whose students performed in “The Nutcracker” for 2008: Absolute Dance, Art and Soul, Bingham Dance Center, Dance Connection, Dee-Ann Studio of Dance, Gym Buddies, Legacy Elite Athletics, The Dance Gallery, and the School of Midland Festival Ballet.