Illinois Youth Dance Theatre's Nutcracker in Lake Forest

Illinois Youth Dance Theatre (IYDT) is pleased to present our 21st annual production of, “The Nutcracker,” a full length holiday ballet by Tchaikovsky, which tells the heartwarming story of a young girl named Clara who receives a magical gift from her godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer, on Christmas Eve. The Nutcracker toy turns into a Prince after a battle with the Mouse King and then takes Clara on an adventure into The Land of Snow and The Kingdom of Sweets, where snowflakes sparkle, gingerbreads play, and enchanted flowers dazzle the stage with color and movement.

Highly regarded as one of the best Chicagoland interpretations of “The Nutcracker,” this magical performance by over 30 local dancers and professional male guest artists will inspire a holiday tradition for years to come.