The Nutcracker

Hyde Park School of Dance’s spin on the holiday classic features more than classical ballet. Founding Artistic Director August Tye, longtime ballet mistress for Lyric Opera of Chicago, and 11 choreographers integrate hip hop, breakdancing, modern, West African, and Chinese dance, with narration throughout the 75 minutes and additional genres such as tap and acro dance. New this year is an imaginative scene of Clara’s nightmare. A highlight each year, the crowd-favorite battle scene sends a message of peace: Instead of battling with swords, mice and soldiers tap into the power of hip hop and breakdancing to work out their differences through creative self-expression.