Join us for our Kalamazoo-inspired Nutcracker and make a new holiday tradition with your loved ones as we celebrate one of the most loved ballets!
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Make your holidays magical by strolling through Kalamazoo’s renowned Candy Cane Lane, circa 1865. Follow Hattie’s magical journey with her Nutcracker Prince after her family’s first-holiday party at the Kalamazoo House Downtown Kalamazoo!
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Ballet Kalamazoo and the Dancers of the Kalamazoo Youth Ballet are joined by Professional Guest Artists: Matthew Rusk from the St. Louis Ballet as The Nutcracker Prince and Professional Freelance Artist from Rhode Island, Joseph VanHarn as Drosselmeyer, Hattie's mysterious friend that brings magical gifts for the party guests.

Both Matthew and Joseph were a part of our 2022 Nutcracker Kalamazoo and we are thrilled to welcome them back to Kalamazoo!

Read about the Nutcracker Kalamazoo Story:
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Come with Hattie and her family to share in their excitement as they host their first-holiday party at their new home, The Kalamazoo House.

​But wait! Who is this surprise guest with an enchanted gift for Hattie? And what a gift! A Nutcracker.

The party ends, and a magical night begins! Hattie sneaks down to get one more glimpse of her Nutcracker and falls asleep. When Hattie awakes, her Nutcracker is doing battle against an army of life-size mice led by their terrible 3-headed Mouse Queen. Just as the Mouse Queen is about to kill the Nutcracker, Hattie distracts her, empowering the Nutcracker to break the spell.

​The spell is broken, and the Nutcracker unexpectedly transforms into a prince!
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The Prince takes Hattie on a wondrous journey through the Magnificent Pines, full of Whitetail Deer. There, the Prince and Hattie encounter Michigan Snowflakes who carry them away to the Land of the Sweets.
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As Hattie’s incredible night continues in the Land of the Sweets, they are greeted by extraordinary beings: the beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy, the Dew Drop Fairy, Morning Doves, and Monarch Butterflies.
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When the pair tell the Sugar Plum Fairy of their adventure, the Sugar Plum Fairy is struck by Hattie’s bravery and bestows gifts of Kalamazoo’s favorite sweets - Donuts, Blue Moon ice cream, Gingerbread, Candy Canes, and Lollipops.
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The enchanted evening begins to wane as Apple Blossom flowers dance around Hattie and her prince. As dawn approaches, the Sugar Plum Fairy tells Hattie she must return home. Hattie does not want to go until she and the Prince dance one final dance together.
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The Sugar Plum’s final gift to Hattie is the story of what will come - the vibrant future of Kalamazoo, along with the key to The Land of the Sweets.
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Hattie wakes up next to her Nutcracker. Was her magical night of adventure and friendship only a dream?
But then, under her pillow, Hattie finds the key to The Land of Sweets! Hattie falls into a contented slumber again knowing she can return to The Land of the Sweets anytime she wishes!