World-class guest artists and newly-married couple Hiroko Sakakibara-Sliva and Simon Sliva will return to the River Center Theatre stage this December with award-winning pre-professional corps and soloists, area celebrities and over 300 local children to present the annual production of “The Nutcracker: A Tale from the Bayou.”

Notable members of this year’s cast include Whitney Vann, anchor of WBRZ’s 2une in morning program, and Craig Freeman, an East Baton Rouge Parish School Board member, LSU Manship School of Mass Communication faculty member and local attorney.

Local dancers cast for the role of Clara are Elise Farris, Angelica Gonzalez, Claire Gregoire and Elizabeth Talbot.

The Nutcracker will take the River Center Stage Saturday, Dec. 17, and Sunday, Dec. 18, with performances at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. each day.

The Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra accompanies all four performances of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece.

“This is the one chance we have each year to see so many Baton Rouge artists combined with world-class guest artists working together to bring joy to Baton Rouge audiences,” says Molly Buchmann, co-artistic director of BRBT. “When you consider the talented guest and local dancers, the Baton Rouge Symphony musicians, the River Center crew, and our brilliant designers, you see that there are literally hundreds of artists creating this Christmas present for Baton Rouge. It's theatre on a grand scale presented with love.”

Tickets range from $20-$42 and may be purchased through the BRBT office at (225) 766-8379, through the River Center Box Office and at all Ticketmaster outlets.

For more information contact the BRBT Office at (225) 766-8379 or visit www.batonrougeballet.org.

This program was supported in part by funds from the Louisiana State Arts Council and the Louisiana Division of the Arts and by the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge through the Decentralized Arts Funding Program. Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre is a recipient organization of the Community Fund for the Arts.

About the Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre:

The Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre (BRBT), under the direction of Molly Buchmann and Sharon Mathews, is a non-profit organization that promotes and assists the advancement of classical and contemporary dance by maintaining a performing company, presenting a high quality season, providing dance education, and community outreach.

Since 1960, BRBT has nurtured hundreds of award-winning local dancers and choreographers while continuing to bring world-class professional artist to the Baton Rouge Stage.

• Cast members from the area include:

BAKER

Destiny Louis, Cook

GREENWELL SPRINGS

Anna Jolibois, Bon-bon

ST. FRANCISVILLE

Caylen DeLaney, Lamb

ZACHARY

Caroline Cresap, Lamb

Jena Johnson, Cherub

Madelyn Johnson, Mouse

Elise Lathon, Lamb

Emma Grace Marangos, Cherub

Carrington Wynn, Lamb