The Newtown Centre for Classical Ballet and Voice (NCCB) presented two performances of The Nutcracker Suite for audiences at Edmond Town Hall last weekend.

Offered as both a standalone event or part of the Newtown Holiday Festival, the suite provided highlights from the classic ballet including the “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,” the “Russian Dance,” “Arabian Dance,” “Chinese Dance,” and the “Waltz of the Flowers.”

Capacity crowds filled the theater for each performance. Notable roles included Clara being played by Newtown High School freshman Kailyn Lahey, Snow Queen played by Newtown High School senior Kate Hugo, Spanish Queen by Newtown senior Penelope Suchar, Russian Queen by Pomperaug High School senior Emma Kate Yamanaka, Ribbon Candy Queen played by Newtown High School senior Sydney Bruno, Dew Drop Fairy played by Newtown High School senior Lillian Caico, and Sugar Plum Fairy played by Newtown High School senior Molly Tinkler.

Students from all levels of the ballet school’s program participate in putting on the show. The youngest dancers, just 3 and 4 years old, play the reindeer that lead Clara’s sleigh into the Land of the Sweets. The 5-6-year-olds participate as the angels who greet Clara upon her arrival, led by Sugar Plum Fairy. Intermediate dancers had roles as Ribbon Candy and Ginger Clowns.

NCCB Artistic Director Tory Gozzi directed the production, her tenth since taking over the South Main Street studio.

Gozzi recently told The Newtown Bee she and company members were also planning to visit Bethel Health Care, Cascades Assisted Living, and Maplewood at Newtown to present performance clips for residents there, as well as caroling by the school’s voice students.