Step into the enchanting world of The Nutcracker, a timeless ballet that weaves a tale of
magical dreams and holiday wonder. Set to Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, this beloved
production follows the journey of the young Clara as her Nutcracker doll comes to life and
whisks her away to a whimsical realm.
Amidst swirling snowflakes and twirling flowers, Clara meets the Sugar Plum Fairy, the dashing
Cavalier, and a cast of enchanting characters in the Land of Sweets. From the enchanting
Snowflakes to the lovely Sugar Plum Fairy, each dance of The Nutcracker captures the essence
of the season and celebrates the joy of imagination.
Performance Dates:
FRIDAY, November 29, 7 P.M.
SATURDAY, November 30, 2 P.M.
SATURDAY, November 30, 7 P.M.
SUNDAY, December 1, 2 P.M.
SATURDAY, December 7, 2 P.M.
SATURDAY, December 7, 7 P.M.
SUNDAY, December 8, 2 P.M.
SATURDAY, December 14, 2 P.M.
SATURDAY, December 7, 7 P.M.
SUNDAY, December 15, 2 P.M.
Venue: Main Street Theatre in the Charming and Historic Rivertown of Conway
335 Main Street, Conway, SC 29526
Tickets will be available for purchase in mid-October.
“The Nutcracker” is presented in collaboration with Coastal Dance Centre, the official training school of Coastal Youth Ballet Theatre.
Coastal Youth Ballet Theatre, in collaboration with its training school, Coastal Dance Centre, is presenting the annual production of the beloved holiday production of “THE NUTCRACKER.”
The Nutcracker: A Classic Holiday Tradition
The libretto is adapted from E.T. A. Hoffmann’s classic story of The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. The whole ballet is danced to the iconic music of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, with choreography and staging led by CYBT Artistic Directors Liza Mata and Karen Mata after that of Marius Petipa’s and Lev Ivanov’s ballet.
“The Nutcracker” tells the story of young Clara who is given a magical nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve by her eccentric uncle and godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer. Adventure awaits as she and her transformed Nutcracker Prince battle the frightful Mouse King before embarking on a journey through the Land of the Snow. With the help of the Snow Queen, Herr Drosselmeyer, Clara, and her Prince travel to the Land of the Sweets where they are entertained by the Sugar Plum Fairy, her Cavalier, and her Entourage of Sweets.
The Nutcracker performances are brought to life by a cast of eighty talented young artists, which includes the Coastal Youth Ballet Theatre company members, together with students from Coastal Dance Centre, CYBT’s training school, professional guest artist and volunteer community members. It is a labor of love for us in CYBT to put on these performances every year. Our dancers, dance families and volunteers work tirelessly to bring these performances to life and to bring smiles and joy to their audiences.
“The Nutcracker” has long been seen as a popular ballet production during the holiday season, and we are so blessed to be able to bring such a beloved family tradition to the Myrtle Beach Area for 17 years now.
“The Nutcracker” 2023
“The Nutcracker” 2022
“The Nutcracker” 2021
“The Nutcracker” 2020
“The Nutcracker” 2019
“The Nutcracker” 2018
“The Nutcracker” 2017
“The Nutcracker” 2016
Nutcracker Trivia:
- The Nutcracker has become an annual holiday tradition in many American cities and even around the world. It is so popular that holidays are not complete without seeing The Nutcracker live.
- The Nutcracker’s origin can be traced back to Russia in the late 1800’s where choreographer Marius Petipa and composer Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky created the ballet based on ETA Hoffman’s story of The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.
- In the 1900’s, touring Russian ballet companies brought the Nutcracker to the United States.
- Four years later, The Nutcracker was born as a full-length ballet for the San Francisco Ballet. In 1954, George Balanchine created his Nutcracker for the New York City Ballet which CBS televised in 1958, making ballet and specifically The Nutcracker, more accessible to American audiences.
- Following suit of New York City Ballet and the San Francisco Ballet, professional ballet companies and ballet schools across the United States created their own versions of The Nutcracker.
- Every year, people troop to the theaters to relive the ballet’s Christmas magic, and every year, dance students, new and old cast members alike, come together to practice and perfect the ballet. Most versions of The Nutcracker share elements of ETA Hoffman’s original story and the use of Tchaikovsky’s music and many versions include roles for professional dancers and dance students.
- American audiences love The Nutcracker because of the fact that it has the participation of children in major roles such as, in the idealized Christmas Eve Party Scene. The ballet depicts the tradition of having a family reunion, observing the holidays, all idealizing a close-knit family environment.
CYBT’s “MOTHER GINGER”
Loved by audiences, young and old, the Mother Ginger character provides one of the favorite moments in THE NUTCRACKER.
In Act Two of the ballet, the young Clara and her Nutcracker Prince meet the Sugarplum Fairy and the Cavalier in The Land of Sweets. In celebration of Clara’s triumph over the Mouse King, theSugarplum Fairy presents a series of dances honoring Clara.
Audiences look forward to seeing the campy and loony other Ginger take the stage in all of her off-the-wall attire. Imagine her being up in an elevated contraption, endowed with a chest the size of beach balls, adorned with a crazy wig and a skirt that looks like it is couple hundred pounds of fabric. The Mother Ginger character simply provides the comic relief in the ballet!
Mother Ginger Celebrities and Hometown Heroes are part of our CYBT Nutcracker tradition.
Who Qualifies as a “MOTHER GINGER” Local Celebrity?
Personalities who are the most respected, adored, influential, caring and generous community leaders or hometown heroes are nominated by community members and are featured as the “Mother Ginger” character.
Since 2012, Coastal Youth Ballet Theatre has been honored to have local celebrities, hometown heroes, community leaders and local VIPs in this colorful role.
Our past Mother Gingers have included among others…
• Barbara Jo Blain – Bellamy – Conway City Mayor
• Johnny Vaught – Horry County Councilman
• Randal Wallace – Myrtle Beach City Council Member
• Paul Richardson – Coastal Carolina University Chemistry Professor
• Alvin Payne – Myrtle Beach Fire Chief
• Gene Ho – Celebrity Photographer
• Van Pennel – St. James High School Principal
• James LaPier – Former Principal of Lakewood Elementary School
• Tim Carnahan – Waccamaw Intermediate School Principal
• Karen Shepard – Loris Chief of Police
• Andrew Wright – former Captain of the St. James High School Football Team
• Ed Piotrowski, Bob Juback, Libba Holland, Cecil Chandler, Frank Johnson, Nicole
Boone, Amanda Kinseth, BJ Kinard, Jamie Arnold, Jeff Benton, Adam Dellinger –
TV and Radio Personalities: Meteorologists, News Anchors, Radio DJs
Despite the challenges we continue to face, we have been able to find a way for the Nutcracker tradition to live on. It’s more important than ever that we are able to bring audiences some festive joy and spirit this Christmas.
Amidst the ongoing effects of COVID-19, we are committed to following COVID Safety Protocols while providing the best theater patron experience for you.
Cleaning / Disinfecting Procedures
There will be cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces such as door handles, handrails, and armrest surfaces before and after the performances.
Physical Distancing
We encourage patrons to maintain a minimum of 6 feet of physical distance at all times.
Staff and Volunteer Screening
All our staff and volunteers will undergo temperature screening before reporting to work and will wear a mask or face covering while at work. In addition, gloves will be worn when there is not a contactless solution.
Sanitizing Stations
Hand sanitizer stations are positioned throughout the space as well as at the building entrances and other high-traffic areas.
Here’s What You Can Do
If you or anyone in your household have symptoms of COVID-19 or have received a positive test within the last 14 days, we kindly ask that you do not attempt to enter the building.
Stay Home If You Are Sick – Please remember, If you don’t feel well, it is important that you do not
attend the theater if you:
- believe you may be infected with COVID-19, whether you have symptoms or not
- have experienced symptoms in the last 14 days
- have been in close proximity to anyone who has experienced symptoms in the last 14 days
- have been instructed to self-isolate
- We encourage anyone in your group that is clinically vulnerable, or who is in the same household and is
someone who considers himself or herself vulnerable, to make their own assessment whether they should attend.
Wear a Mask – Wear a face mask or face covering unless medically unable (per City of Myrtle Beach ordinance).
Practice Good Hygiene – Please wash and sanitize your hands frequently. Antibacterial soap is provided in all restrooms and hand sanitizer dispensers are available at all building entrances and other high-traffic areas.
Allow Extra Time
With physical distancing in place, entry and exit may take a little longer than usual. Please allow extra time and arrive early for your performance. Together, our efforts will slow the spread of the virus and create a safe and enjoyable experience for all.
Thank you for your support.
PLEASE NOTE: These protocols currently in place are subject to change in compliance with revisions to national and local guidelines regarding COVID-19. While we will provide the most up-to-date public health procedures to improve patron safety, they are not an absolute protection against contracting COVID-19. Patrons assume their own risk by entering the facility.
WHEN ENTERING WHEELRIGHT AUDITORIUM:
- Entering the building may take a little longer than usual. Please allow for extra time and arrive early.
- Please enter the building via the front entrance of the building.
- We ask that audience members be patient and maintain 6-feet distancing while lining up to get into the theater.
- The audience is recommended to wear a face mask/covering, including when seated in the auditorium, unless medically exempt. This also applies to children from the age of 11. Masks must cover both the nose and mouth. Our staff and volunteers will also be wearing masks.
- Upon entry, there will be staff and volunteers who will conduct touchless temperature screening.
INSIDE THE AUDITORIUM:
- You will be directed to your seat as soon as you enter the Wheelright Auditorium.
- To promote physical / social distancing before, during and after the performances, seating is every other row..
- We highly encourage you to stay with individuals from your own household when you attend the Nutcracker performance. A limit of SIX (6) persons maximum per family/group should be seated together. Additional guests will need to be seated three seats apart in a separate group.
- Three (3) seats are to be left vacant (approximate 6 feet distancing) within each row between families / groups.
- To ensure all audience members are kept safe, we ask that you remain in your allocated seat at all times. Once seated, please refrain from moving to other seats as all seats are sanitized before the performance.
- In case of an emergency, please follow the directions of the ushers to safely exit the building.
By purchasing tickets for the show, you agree to the terms in our Waiver and Release of Claims page.
Ticket Information
RESERVED SEATING TICKETS: Premium Orchestra and Premium Balcony are going to be ASSIGNED specific seats by the CYBT staff (upon the order of purchase.) Seats will also be assigned with three empty seats in between each family/group. As such, Premium ticket purchases have an anticipated limit of tickets that can be sold.
With the social distancing restrictions in place, we ask for your understanding and patience as we try our best to accommodate all our theater patrons.
Due to the distancing of seats, our capacity per section per show is LIMITED. Maximum capacity will depend on ticket sales for each section.
If you purchase a ticket for a section that has already been filled, your seat assignment will need to be moved. If your seat assignment needs to be adjusted, we will contact you to let you know about the change that will be made. We thank you in advance for your kind understanding.
We highly encourage you to stay with individuals from your own household when you attend the Nutcracker performance.
SIX (6) persons maximum per family/group should be seated together.
Three (3) seats are to be left vacant (approximate 6 feet distancing) within each row between families / groups.
Do I have to purchase a ticket for children?
Every audience member / patron, regardless of age, must have a ticket to attend the Nutcracker performance. Please be considerate of others in the audience if you have a child who is being disruptive during the performance.
Will there be discounted tickets for children / senior citizens?
CYBT’s Nutcracker 2020 production is in great need of support from the community. At this time, CYBT is unable to offer children and senior discounts. Nevertheless, we hope that you can come to any of our performances to support us.