Here’s what you’ll see in Wichita’s three productions of ‘The Nutcracker’

Visions of sugarplum fairies dancing around the stages of Wichita come to life this month, as three area dance companies present their versions of “The Nutcracker.”

In our preview of these three ballets, we ask not only what’s new and different, but what makes their “Nutcracker” unique in town.

METROPOLITAN BALLET ‘NUTCRACKER’

When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7

Where: Century II concert hall, 225 W. Douglas

Tickets: $18-$53, from the Century II box office, selectaseat.com or 316-755-7328

What’s new and different: “We have new guest artists, a new guest party parent we like to bring in every year, new faces, new people, some new choreography,” said founding artistic director Jill Landrith, in her 28th year of directing “Nutcracker.”

The dancers, ages 6 to 60, auditioned in July for the season.

What makes theirs unique: “We bring in guest artists, most often from New York City, every year for our production,” Landrith said.

This year’s dancers include Alicia Mae Holloway, a member of the Dance Theatre of Harlem and a former contestant on “The Bachelor” in 2020, as the Sugar Plum Fairy; and Dylan Santos, a Brazilian native and another Dance Theatre of Harlem veteran, as the cavalier, as well as Hutchinson native Tayt Staedtler and former Miss Kansas Hannah Marie Wagner.

“We’re so pleased to have them joining us on the stage,” Landrith said.

‘SHORT & SUITE NUTCRACKER’ BY MIDWEST DANCE MECHANIX

When: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12; 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13; 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14

Where: East High Performing Arts Center, 2301 E. Douglas

Tickets: $29 adults, $17 children, from dancemechanix.biz

What’s new and different: The location, for one: “The East High Performing Arts Center, which we’re excited about,” said Jana Owen, owner-director and co-choreographer. “We loved Wichita Center for the Performing Arts, but since that building is up for sale, we weren’t quite sure what that would look like.”

The slightly larger space will help accommodate more audience for the performance, which has sold out often over the past few years. There’s also a higher backstage area, which should make for easier set changes. “From a backstage perspective, that’s exciting,” she said.

This year’s version includes new choreography, new costumes and new roles, many of them highlighting 11 graduating seniors.

“To challenge and highlight dancers is always an important part of the equation,” Owen added. “We try to make it delightful and fun show for the audience, but also a good learning experience.”

What makes theirs unique: It’s right there in the name, a condensed “Nutcracker” designed to last about 90 minutes.

“It’s geared toward a younger audience and making it a complete experience as far as front-of-house and the show itself, with a Sweet Shoppe, a little Christmas shopping, getting to see Santa, kind of marking all those holiday memories off your list in one spot,” Owen said.

BALLET WICHITA ‘NUTCRACKER’

When: 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Dec. 19-20; 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21

Where: Century II concert hall, 225 W. Douglas

Tickets: $30-$68, from the Century II box office, selectaseat.com or 316-755-7328

What’s new and different this year: “Last year was the first year with our current director, Logan Pachciarz, and it was our 50th season and that was a really big marker for us. This year, there’s no big, sparkling new thing, but what marks our ‘Nutcracker’ great is that we’re established for 51 years,” marketing-development director Annika Wooton said. “We’re doubling down what we really do well. … We had a lot of new things last year, and then this year, we’ve got our footing again. We reintroduced our professional company, we have paid dancers on our roster, we bring in guest artists from other ballet companies.

“So this year what’s ‘new’ is that we’re continuing to do something for the first time in a long time,” she added. “We’ve been reinventing the wheel, and now, (the philosophy is) ‘We’re good.’”

What makes theirs unique: “We are the only one in town that has a live symphony orchestra, and that really stands apart, and we’re the only professional ballet company in the state,” Wooton said. “We’re stable, we’re in our next 50 years. That’s the next era for us.”