The Philadelphia Ballet kicks off its final performances of the year with $10 admission for opening night of "The Nutcracker."
Beginning 8 a.m. Friday, 2,600 discounted tickets will go on sale online for the 7 p.m. show on Dec. 6 at the Academy of Music. They're available on a first-come, first-serve basis and the ballet expects to sell out quickly. Tickets normally cost from $27 to $241.
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“As a company, we believe in making the beauty of ballet accessible to all,” said Angel Corella, the ballet's artistic director, in a statement. “This special opening night offer makes it possible for anyone who wants to enjoy the world-class artistry of Philadelphia Ballet dancers and the timeless enchantment of The Nutcracker. We hope that this tradition continues to bring joy and inspire a love of dance in our city.”
George Balanchine's "The Nutcracker" runs from Dec. 6-29 at 240 S. Broad St. The two-act show, which features a score by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, tells the story of a toy that comes to life on Christmas Eve. Along the way, he encounters a Mouse King nemesis, a Sugar Plum fairy and dancers celebrating treats and cultures from around the world.
The ballet is recommended for kids 4 and older and is an hour and 56 minutes long, plus a 20-minute intermission.