By MICHAEL BOYLAN
Weekend Editor

Visions of sugar plums will dance this weekend when the Fayette Ballet presents its 12th annual production of the holiday classic, “The Nutcracker.”

“The Nutcracker” is the tale of a little girl, Clara, who falls asleep one Christmas Eve with a magical Nutcracker. She dreams of a world of magic where the Christmas tree grows and the Nutcracker comes to life to lead an army of toy soldiers against the Mouse King and his followers. Later, the Nutcracker becomes a handsome prince and takes Clara to the Kingdom of Sweets, where they are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy and entertained by dancers from different lands.

The lead roles of Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier will be performed by guest artists Shelley Grames and Anthony Parkes. They will be supported by a cast of 125 area dancers, including the advanced and professional dancers of the Fayette Ballet. Grames is a principal dancer with the Gainesville Ballet and also dances with the Atlanta Ballet and the Ruth Mitchell Company. Parks is a former principal dancer with the Royal Ballet and is well known in dancing circles for his outstanding performing and partnering. The production is also enhanced by beautiful costumes and lavish sets and scenery.

The coveted role of “Clara,” the little girl who travels through the Land of Snow and Kingdom of Sweets with her charming Nutcracker Prince, will be shared by four young area dancers: Nikki Waldrop, Peachtree City, will perform Friday evening; Amber Lewis, Rex, will perform at the Saturday matinee, while Jenna Earle of Fayetteville will dance Saturday evening. Brianna Jackson of Fayetteville will perform the final performance during the Sunday matinee. Both Earle and Jackson danced as Clara in last year's production and have performed in Fayette Ballet's “Nutcracker” the past eight years.

“We are especially pleased with our efforts this year,” said Beverly Williamson, director of Fayette Ballet. “We promise a professional and enchanting production. Our audiences no longer have to travel to Atlanta or Macon to enjoy a professional production at affordable prices for the family.”

Fayette Ballet will present “The Nutcracker” Nov. 19 -21. The show will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19, at 5 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday and at 3 p.m Sunday. Reserved tickets are $8, $10, and $12.50 and are on sale now at The Regions Bank in Peachtree City and Fayetteville and at the Fayette Ballet studio in Fayetteville.

For advance reservations, call the Fayette Ballet at 770-461-0976.

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