This year PDT casts one of its own for the challenging role of the Sugar Plum Fairy

KANNAPOLIS — The Nutcracker begins its run at the Kannapolis Performing Arts Center on Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. Adult ticket prices are $20, and students age 17 and under, are $15 at PiedmontDanceTheatre.com

Featuring Tchaikovsky’s full music score, the entire production has been updated within the past three years and re-choreographed offering a new and fresh look for this classic performance.

This year’s production has a cast of 112 performers and includes dancers from Piedmont School of Music & Dance, ages 6 to 51.

In past years, the company hired guest artists to portray the challenging role of the Sugar Plum Fairy, but this year PDT has cast one of its own remarkable dancers. Catherine Livingston, age 18 from Davidson, is the first youth artist to portray the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Salisbury performances. Other leading cast members includes Kannapolis native Armon Sanchez in the title role of the Nutcracker Prince, and Renee LeClair of Concord as Clara.

The cast also features dancers from Davidson, Denver, Huntersville, Mooresville, Mt. Pleasant, Salisbury and Statesville.