HomeCultural eventsDance Alive National Ballet brings holiday magic to thousands with The Nutcracker

Dance Alive National Ballet brings holiday magic to thousands with The Nutcracker

November 6, 2025

Press release from Dance Alive National Ballet

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Thousands of people across the United States will be transported to the Kingdom of Sweets with Dance Alive National Ballet’s adaptation of The Nutcracker. Presented by PNC Foundation, Dance Alive’s Nutcracker will be performed 19 times this holiday season! 

It’s not the holidays without The Nutcracker. This all-time family favorite sees Clara return to the stage, saving the Nutcracker prince and embarking on a magical journey to the Kingdom of the Sweets. 

“Tradition, beauty, grace, and a terrific story. What more can you ask for?” said Artistic Director Kim Tuttle. “It’s sheer magic with a fabulous cast!”

Gainesville Shows

WHEN: Dec. 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 20 and 21 at 2 p.m.

WHERE: Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

TICKETS: https://dancealive.org/2025/06/29/the-nutcracker-4/
You can also purchase tickets in person at the Phillips Center box office or by phone (352.392.2787 or 800.905.2787)

Composed by P.I. Tchaikovsky and choreographed by Tuttle, Dance Alive’s adaptation features beautiful set design by Denis Mauldin and costumes by Soili Arvola, Chris Takashima, and Rebecca Flake. In addition to the professional dancers, The Nutcracker showcases local area dance students from Gainesville and surrounding areas.

The show is family-friendly.

Shows in Alachua, Gainesville, Ocala, The Villages, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois

The Company starts off the season with 2 (free) performances at Legacy Park Multicultural Center in Alachua on November 22 before traveling to Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois, returning on Dec. 12 for performances at the Sharon in the Villages. 

DANB will then present 4 public performances and 2 school performances at the Reilly Arts Center between Dec. 13th and 16th befth and 21st. The December 13th performance in Ocala will be with orchestra, while all the public performances in Gainesville will be with orchestra.

Special events include Magic of Nutcracker on December 17th at 5:30 for special needs children and two Class With Clara opportunities on December 20 & 21 at 4 p.m. 

 “As a Main Street Bank, PNC is proud to support the arts in our local communities, knowing how a vibrant arts community enriches lives and builds strong communities,” said Chris Kalin, PNC regional president for North Florida. “In this context, supporting Dance Alive’s performance of The Nutcracker, which is a holiday tradition for many, not only makes sense, but it is also something we couldn’t be prouder to be part of.”  

Also, children are to join Clara for ‘Class with Clara,’ a ballet class onstage at 4 p.m. on Dec.20 and 21. Tickets are only needed for class participants. Spectators may attend for free.

Class with Clara

FOR PERFORMANCES IN FLORIDA

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