CARLISLE, PA (November 22, 2010) - Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet (CPYB) Presents Its Annual Holiday Classic, George Balanchine's The Nutcracker On Dec. 11-12 And 18-19. One Of The Most Revered Theatrical Ballets In The Company's Repertory, Audiences Will Revel In The Warmth Of TheSeason As Casts Of More Than 141 Dancers Take Them On A Magical Journey From Stahlbaum Home To The Land Of The Sweets.

"Mr. Balanchine Managed To Do 56 Years Ago What Nobody Has Been Able To Do Since," Comments Cpyb Associate Artistic Director And Balanchine Trust Répétiteur Darla Hoover. "In His Typical Genius, Mr. B. Matched Superb Choreography With The Rich, Melodic Score Of Composer Tchaikovsky, Creating A Production That Entertains Theatre-Goers Ages Four To Ninety-Four."

Elaborate Sets, Costumes And Intricate Lighting Unleash The Viewers' Imagination As They Travel With Marie Through Her Dream-Filled World Of Mice, Soldiers, Dancing Snowflakes, A Sugar Plum Fairy And A Celebration That Takes Them Around The World In A Single Night.

George Balanchine's The NutcrackerTM Is A Rare Treat As Cpyb Is Honored As The Only Pre-Professional School In The Country Licensed To Perform This Annual Seasonal Favorite.

"It Was An Incredible Privilege To Dance For Mr. Balanchine In This Renowned Production," Says Hoover. "As Répétiteur, It's A Huge Honor To Ensure That His Amazing Work Is Danced With The Style, Musicality And Clarity He Insisted Upon. The Icing On The Cake Is To Stage Mr. Balanchine's Original Choreography At The School Where I Was Trained!"

Maestro Stuart Malina, One Of America's Most Gifted Conductors, Returns To Lead The Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra's Live Performance Of Tchaikovsky's Music During The Second Weekend Of Cpyb's Performances At Hershey Theatre.

"I'm Absolutely Thrilled To Once Again Be Conducting The Nutcracker With Cpyb," Comments Malina. "It's Collaborations Like These That Make An Arts Community Tick.  Cpyb, Like The Harrisburg Symphony, Represents Arts Performance On The Very Highest Level-And Right Here In Central Pa!  We Are Very Proud To Be Sharing The Stage (Or At Least The Pit!) With Them."

CPYB Will Perform The Holiday Favorite At Two Superb Locations. Experience An Intimate Venue In The Heart Of Downtown Harrisburg When George Balanchine's The NutcrackerTM Is Performed At 1 And 5 P.M. Dec. 11 And 2 P.M. Dec. 12 At Whitaker Center For Science And The Arts. Tickets Range From $17-$43, And Can Be Ordered By Calling 717.214.Arts Or Visiting Whitakercenter.Org.

The Production Will Be Staged Again At 1 And 5 P.M. Dec. 18 And 2 P.M. Dec. 19 At The Historic Hershey Theatre With Live Music. Tickets Range From $28-$48, And Can Be Purchased By Calling 717.534.3405 Or Visiting Hersheytheatre.Com.

George Balanchine's The NutcrackerTM Is Made Possible In Part By Production Sponsor M&T Bank. Cpyb Is Supported By The Pennsylvania Council On The Arts, The National Endowment For The Arts, And Cultural Enrichment Fund.