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The Makaroff Youth Ballet, Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra and the Appleton Boychoir will combine their talents at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton on December 16 and 17 for their interpretation of “The Nutcracker” ballet.

Makaroff Youth Ballet dancers will take performing roles in Tchaikovsky’s iconic ballet, following the adventures of protagonist Clara, a nutcracker prince, an evil mouse king and the Sugar Plum Fairy of the Land of Sweets. Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra and Appleton Boychoir will provide live accompaniment.

Professionals from the Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle, Angelica Generosa and Kyle Davis, will also perform, portraying the Sugar Plum Fairy and her cavalier, respectively. Davis, whose training began in the Fox Cities, will be a returning collaborator with the Makaroff Youth Ballet.

Katy Hopp, executive director of the Makaroff Youth Ballet, says the community collaborations and Davis’ local roots set the performance apart.

“The audience will be … amazed by the Makaroff Youth Ballet dancers,” Hopp says. “We are fortunate to have a strong classical ballet program in which the art is passed from one generation to the next.”

Hopp says the performance is a memorable experience during the holiday season.

“The athleticism of ballet is often surprising, [combining] technique, artistry and grace,” Hopp says. “It just doesn’t feel like the holidays without seeing a performance of ‘The Nutcracker.’”

The December 16 performance begins at 7:30 p.m. and the December 17 performance is at 1 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at foxcitiespac.com.