Our New York Nutcracker takes the music from Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic, adds a dash of the swinging Duke Ellington and a hint of Ella Fitzgerald, and mixes in the sass (and color scheme!) of Eloise at Christmastime. New York Nutcracker 2008 will take place 2p.m. December 14th at St. John's School, Buffalo Speedway at Westheimer. This year's Sugar Rum Cherry will be danced by Kim Stafford, formerly with Houston Ballet and currently teaching at the Claire School of Dance. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children, and are available at the door. What Parents Need to Know: All students in primary and above are given a role in the Nutcracker. Participation is NOT mandatory. There is a participation fee of $100, which helps defray the cost of costumes and the theater. Every student in the Nutcracker receives two free tickets. Most rehearsals take place during class. If there is need, additional rehearsals may be scheduled. Tickets and t-shirts will be distributed at the run-through rehearsal for ALL performers the day before the show (December 1st). The run-through rehearsal will take place at our Grace United studio from 10 a.m. to noon. On the day of the show: Dancers will be to be at the theater at approximately 9:30 a.m. the day of the show. They are to bring a sack lunch as they will not be ready to leave until after the performance. The show is approximately 40 minutes long. Dancers are invited to have their photos taken on stage after the show. No photographs should be taken during the performance. A professional photographer will be taking photos. Parents will be given the opportunity to order photos and a video. Costumes remain the property of the School. Once dancers have turned in their costumes and received their participation gift, they are free to leave.