‘The Nutcracker’ comes to Van Wert!

Tis’ the season! Christmas music is everywhere.  As I write this column, I am playing Bing Crosby, Natalie Cole (and her father of course!), Andy Williams and more.  It just seems like we can’t get enough holiday music during the season. The music basket is full of Christmas joy from now right up until Christmas.

I remember some eight or nine years ago when some of us were dreaming of a performing arts center in Van Wert, I wrote, “Wouldn’t it be real ‘cool’ if we didn’t have to drive 80-100 miles to see a Nutcracker performance at Christmas time?” Well, guess what? You don’t. The Ballet Theatre of Toledo is coming to Van Wert. You don’t have to go there. They are performing two shows for us this Saturday, December 6: one at 2 p.m. and another at 7:30 p.m.

Not only is it a wonderful benefit not having to drive a distance to introduce your family to The Nutcracker, but we also have afforded the opportunity for some of our local people to actually perform in the Nutcracker. You’ll just have to come and see who might appear on the stage. About 30 local dancers will join a troupe of nearly 80 from Toledo in this huge Nutcracker production, which includes gorgeous backdrops, costumes, dancing, a live pit orchestra, and many surprises!

We have sold nearly 1,600 tickets thus far, but with two performances, there is still room for you to join us and get your holiday off to a great start. And don’t forget to get here early enough to catch the Van Wert Area Boychoir sing in the lobby. They will also appear in the production of Nutcracker.

Our Nutcracker is actually sandwiched between two Van Wert High School Christmas concerts; one by the band on December 4 and the other by the choir on December 8.  You might want to catch their performances at the Niswonger. I know they have some surprises in store for you too!

Following the choir concert, “A Peter White Christmas” comes to the Niswonger on December 9. Jazz at its very finest will be on display for this Christmas show, which also includes saxophonist Mindi Abair and trumpeter Rick Braun. Last year’s Jazz Christmas show was a tremendous success with Dave Koz. We look for another tremendous show with guitarist Peter White and friends.

And don’t forget our very own presentation of Handel’s Messiah on December 14 at First United Methodist Church in Van Wert. The chorus has been rehearsing for a month and is about ready to peak.  We had a great rehearsal last Sunday and are about ready to add the orchestra and soloists for this Sunday 7 p.m. performance. Watch for a media release of the outstanding soloists we have this year.  It will be coming your way next week.

As Andy Williams is now singing on my Pandora station, “It’s the holiday season!”  We have you covered this year with Christmas music to fill your hearts with joy and peace!

FINÉ.