`NUTCRACKER' COMING TO SHOW ME CENTER DEC. 16

The Saint Louis Ballet will perform "The Nutcracker" at the Show Me Center at 8 p.m. Dec. 16.

The performance will be the first-ever by the Saint Louis Ballet at the Show Me Center.

"The Nutcracker," a two-act classical ballet with a score by Tchaikovsky, was first staged in 1892 in St. Petersburg, Russia.

It tells the story of a nutcracker who becomes a prince in a young girl's dream. In the Christmas eve dream, the little girl and the prince travel the World of Sweets and meet the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Snow Queen and King, and toys and soldiers who come alive.

"The Nutcracker" is a Yuletide tradition for the Saint Louis Ballet, which features a cast of international performers.

Tickets are $25, $20 and $15, with $5 off for students and seniors. A $3-per-ticket discount also will be offered for groups of 20 or more.

Only one discount per ticket will be honored.

Tickets are available at the Show Me Center Box Office; Capital Bank (main branches in Jackson, Perryville, Sikeston and Poplar Bluff); Disc Jockey Records in Cape Girardeau, Carbondale and Paducah; Schnucks in Cape Girardeau; and by phone 24 hours a day at (314) 651-5000.