Print edition: 
It wouldn’t be the holiday season without “The Nutcracker,” and once again Wichita will host two productions in the coming days. The ballet — about a little girl and a toy nutcracker that comes to life on Christmas Eve — will be presented by Ballet Wichita Saturday and Dec. 13 at Century II Concert Hall, and at Friends University over two weekends beginning Friday.
Both productions are traditional, with characters and group dances (like Waltz of the Snowflakes and Waltz of the Flowers) that return year after year. Here’s an alphabetical guide to “The Nutcracker” and its music, a road map to help you enjoy Wichita’s perennial Christmastime treat.
A is for Arabian Dance, the lovely, languid dance whose soft strings and low woodwinds recall exotic gardens and perfumed palaces of Aladdin’s Arabia.
B is for bratty brother Fritz, who breaks Clara’s nutcracker and ruins her party fun.
C is for Clara, the little girl who’s the star of the show. Dancing Clara for Ballet Wichita will be Sarah Dorsett, 13, on Saturday and Hannah Sewester, 12, on Dec. 13. At Friends, Sophi Frangenberg, 12, and Sydney McCain, 11, will alternate performances as Clara.
D is for Herr Drosselmeyer, the mysterious magician who brings the Nutcracker to life. Dorio Perez will dance for Ballet Wichita after a storied career with Houston Ballet.
E is for entertainment. “The Nutcracker” entertains young and old alike, ballet lovers and those attending for the first time.
F is for Sugar-Plum Fairy. Her dance, with its sparkling accompaniment from the tinkling celesta, is the most recognized music in the ballet. Nicola Curry from American Ballet Theatre will dance for Ballet Wichita. At Friends, Melody Herrara from Houston Ballet (Friday-Dec. 13) and Wendy Whelan from New York City Ballet (Dec. 18-20) will star.
G is for Mother Ginger and her Ginger Cookies, the tiniest tykes in the Friends production.
H is for the hours of rehearsals and hard work that precede “The Nutcracker” performances.
I is for inspiration, which swells as the Christmas tree grows. “The Nutcracker” reminds everyone of the transformative power of beauty and the hope that powers a little girl’s dreams.
J is for Jay Decker, conductor of the orchestra that accompanies Ballet Wichita’s performances.
K is for Kansas Arts Commission, which helped sponsor Ballet Wichita’s performance of “The Nutcracker” today in McPherson.
L is for Land of the Sweets, the happy, dreamtime kingdom where Clara and her Nutcracker Prince are entertained with dances from around the world.
M is for mice, cute, cuddly hordes of them.
N is for the Nutcracker Prince, who comes to life to save Clara from the Rat King and sweep her off to the Land of the Sweets.
O is for Patrick Ogle from American Ballet Theatre, who will star as the Prince Cavalier for Ballet Wichita. Dominic Walsh from Houston’s Dominic Walsh Dance Theater will dance the role at Friends Friday-Dec. 13 and Philip Neal from New York City Ballet will dance it Dec. 18-20.
P is for pas de deux, the magical dance duets that showcase balance, grace and athletic form.
Q is for quick feet demonstrated by the Sugar-Plum Fairy in her famous solo dance.
R is for the Rat King, the Nutcracker’s nemesis whom Clara bravely confronts at the height of the battle scene.
S is for the Snow Scene, where waltzing snowflakes create a dazzling winter wonderland.
T is for Tchaikovsky, who composed “The Nutcracker” ’s delicious music.
U is for unwrapping presents, the joy of every girl and boy.
V is for vital. “The Nutcracker’s” popularity makes it the centerpiece of a ballet company’s season. Ticket sales support ballet performances year-round.
W is for Waltz of the Flowers, whose French horn harmonies and expansive melodies are the height of elegance.
X is for Xmas, for Christmas Eve, the expectant midnight when Clara dreams.
Y is for Yuletide treat, which “The Nutcracker” has become since its first performance on Dec. 18, 1892, in St. Petersburg.
Z is for “zzzzzzz,” the blissful sleep into which Clara falls at the end of “The Nutcracker,” when she realizes that holiday wishes can come true.
