INDY'S WEEKLY ALTERNATIVE NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTING ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

On your toes with Tchaikovsky

Seven Nutcrackers this season mark the 115th anniversary of the story of a girl, her family and friends, a nutcracker and the powers and perils of imagination.

Indianapolis School of Ballet (Dec. 21-22; 317-955-7525; indyballet.org), the newest locally based production at Scottish Rite Cathedral, features scenic designer David Higgins’ Act 1 recreation of the historic Morris Butler House and guest appearances by ballroom dancers from Riolo Dance.

Cincinnati Ballet (Dec. 12-16; 317-239-5151; cincinnatiballet.com) appears at the Murat with a 40-member orchestra of Indianapolis-based musicians and 80 dancers from the Russian Ballet Academy of Indiana augmenting their professional company.

Russian Ballet Academy of Indiana (Dec. 8; 317-501-9673; rbai.org) brings two performances in one day to the Madame Walker Theatre.

Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre (Nov. 30-Dec. 2; 317-216-5455; gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org) is an all-student production at Pike Performing Arts Center. North Central High School sophomore and nine-year GHDT veteran Michelle Meltzer dances The Sugar Plum Fairy. At age 6 Meltzer debuted as a Unicorn and as a sixth-grader she danced Klara.

Central Indiana Dance Ensemble (Nov. 30-Dec. 2; 317-844-7453; cidedance.org) at the Zionsville Arts Performing Center, with a cast of 120, features former Ballet Internationale dancer Oybeck Tashpulatov as The Cavalier.

Butler Ballet (Nov. 29-Dec. 2; 317-940-6444; cloweshall.org) at Clowes Memorial Hall traditionally has set the standard for pre-professional productions with live full orchestras. Jordan Academy of Dance students are on stage with Butler Ballet.