'Radio City Rockettes Meets Aurora': Dance Academy To Stage Rendition Of 'The Nutcracker'

BATAVIA, IL — Seeing "The Nutcracker" might be one of the most quintessential holiday activities, and this season, locals don't have to leave the Fox Valley region to do so.

The Monarch Academy of Dance will perform "The Nutcracker: City Lights" — a jazz-infused take on the classical ballet — Dec. 21 at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre, located inside Batavia High School, at 1250 W. Wilson St.

The reimagined version finds Clara on her own in a big city, waltzing into a modern world enlivened with classic jazz and traditional holiday spirit, according to organizers.

Guests can expect a performance full of movement, color and sound.

"Think Radio City Rockettes meets Aurora and Chicago," dance academy representatives wrote in a news release.

This winter marks the fourth year that the Aurora dance studio will perform "The Nutcracker" at the Batavia Fine Arts Center.

"We're reinventing the wheel this year," said Amanda Hipperson, who owns Monarch Academy of Dance with her husband, Gary. "We want to push the envelope of what exists."

The production will include about 70 dancers between the ages of 4 and 75. Students from Naperville Central High School, Waubonsee Valley High School, guest artists from the Joffrey Ballet, and dancers from Monarch's adaptive dance program will be featured on stage. Professional percussionists from Rhythm Messengers will join the ensemble.

The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $38-$59 and can be purchased on the performance hall's website.