Entertainment : ACT I of Benton County to present GENEVIEVE’S NUTCRACKER

Genevieve's Nutcracker will arrive at the Vinton Palace November 16-19

Make plans now to attend our second annual production of GENEVIEVE'S NUTCRACKER at the Palace Theatre in Vinton! The show opens Thursday, Nov. 16, at 7 pm, following Vinton's exciting downtown "Lighted Holiday Parade" to ring in your holidays! Performances continue Friday, Nov. 17 at 7 pm, and Sat./Sun. Nov. 18/19 at 1 pm and 4 pm each day.

Running just over an hour, the performances are an original adaptation of the Nutcracker Ballet, featuring Grandma Baxter (played by ACT I Veteran and long-time Vinton educator Sue Gates) and her 6-year-old granddaughter Genevieve (played alternately by Clara McNeill and Nellie Squires) sharing and learning the story of the Nutcracker Ballet. The action opens on Christmas eve, and through an original script and choreography, beautiful costumes, and a classic score, the story unfolds onstage.

This year's production features new and updated choreography along with an updated script. This year's cast of 28 features ten-year-old Caraline Mefford as Clara, eleven-year-old Owen Sexton as the Nutcracker Prince, and Center-Point Urbana senior Madalyn Staggs as the Sugar Plum Fairy. Cast members as young as six years old are featured as mice, dancing snowflakes, party guests, mechanical toys, soldiers, Land of Sweets Dancers, and more. Children in the cast represent the school districts of Vinton-Shellsburg, North Tama, Union, Benton Community, and Center-Point Urbana, as well as the Homeschool Association.

The show is perfect for all ages! We hope you'll include Vinton and GENEVIEVE'S NUTCRACKER on your holiday list this year. We also hope that you'll visit our many downtown shops which will be open throughout the entire weekend! And of course, the Palace concessions will be open throughout all performances.

All tickets are $10 at the door, and all proceeds support ACT I of Benton County.

See you there