The 4th floor of the GoggleWorks turned into a winter wonderland Sunday afternoon in the return of the Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party. The festive tradition is hosted by Berks Ballet Theatre as a preview of the the annual holiday performance of The Nutcracker.
The event takes inspiration from The Nutcracker’s Land of the Sweets, featuring an assortment of desserts, crafts, special performer meet & greet session, and story time with the guest of honor, the Sugar Plum Fairy herself, Ellie Folga.
“We are very excited to be back live again performing The Nutcracker at the Scottish Rite Cathedral with the Reading Pops Orchestra” said Director of Berks Ballet Theatre Conservatory of Dance, Nathan Bland. “One of our company members and a student of our conservatory is performing as the Sugar Plum Fairy along with our guest Cavalier Jace Coronado of New York City.”
The 90 minute event gave children time to make crafts, eating a box lunch, and watch a special preview performance of The Nutcracker.
“We began rehearsals [for The Nutcracker] the last weekend of September, every Saturday and Sunday. We try every year to make the performance extra special, especially with this year being the 45th year” said Kelly Barber, Artistic Director Berks Ballet Theatre, Principal Teacher/ BBT Conservatory of Dance.
Berks Ballet Theatre partnered with several local businesses, including Ady Cakes and Sweet Ride Ice Cream, who both provide sweet treats for guests.
Bland added “We are just excited to bring the live arts back to Berks County after the hiatus of virtual performances and continue the tradition of ballet and music”.
Berks Ballet Theatre will be performing the classic tale of Clara and her beloved Nutcracker on December 18th and 19th at the Scottish Rite Cathedral in West Reading.
