“RUTH PAGE’S THE NUTCRACKER” at Salme Harju Steinberg Fine Arts Center

The Ruth Page Center for the Arts is proud to present its annual live production of “Ruth Page’s The Nutcracker” featuring original choreography by Ruth Page and directed by the artistic team of Victor Alexander, Dolores Long, Birute Barodicaite, Dori Rothschild, Chrissy Atterbery, and Renardo Johnson. Chicago’s longest running “Nutcracker” has delighted tens of thousands of fans and is performed at Northeastern Illinois University’s (NEIU) Salme Harju Steinberg Fine Arts Center, 3701 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., as part of the Ruth Page Dance Series, Saturday, Dec. 2 at 3 and 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 3 at 1 and 5 p.m. Additional performances will be held at the College of Lake County’s (CLC) James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St. in Grayslake, Saturday, Dec. 16 at 1 and 5 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 17 at 1 p.m. Tickets for the NEIU performances are $42.50 for general admission, $25 for seniors, students and children under the age of 12 years, $10 for NEIU faculty and staff (one ticket per I.D.), and $5 for NEIU students (one ticket per I.D.). Tickets for the College of Lake County performances are $26 for general admission, $23 for seniors/military, and $15 for students. Tickets for both engagements are available at RuthPage.org.  

Originally presented in the Arie Crown Theatre from 1965 until 1997, tthe 2023 production of “Ruth Page’s The Nutcracker '' features a cast curated from local and international dance artists. In keeping with Ms. Page’s emphasis on children’s involvement, additionally cast are students from Ruth Page School of Dance’s Professional Dance and Young Dancer Training Programs as well as students from the Keystone Dance Academy. The Keystone Dance Academy is the Ruth Page School of Dance’s dance outreach program. It engages students in the training and study of classical ballet, jazz, and choreography, with an additional emphasis on community building and support. The program takes place at Wentworth Elementary School on Chicago’s southside.