DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — Before the lights go up and the curtain rises, there’s a quiet kind of magic happening behind the scenes at Millikin University.
Inside the Kirkland Fine Arts Center, the cast and crew of "The Nutcracker: A Magical Christmas Ballet" are transforming the stage into a winter wonderland — the very first stop of their national tour.
“This is the kickoff of the national tour!” said producer Dan Talmi. “Artists are coming from all over the world, and they’ve come to Decatur to rehearse at Millikin.”
Performers from across the globe — including the Czech Republic and France — are settling into rehearsals, perfecting choreography, music and stagecraft before opening night. Costumes are being fitted, sets finalized and last-minute details polished.
“People are flying in, catching airplanes, getting costumes fit,” Talmi added. “When you think about where to begin a holiday tradition like 'The Nutcracker,' the Midwest is the perfect place for that.”
For these dancers, this isn’t just another stop, it’s a dream come true.
“I’ve always wanted to try 'The Nutcracker!'” one young performer said. “It’s probably an opportunity that won’t ever happen again.”
Another dancer from France shared, “I love the audience enjoying it, having those stars in their eyes.”
As Tchaikovsky’s timeless score echoes through the theater, Clara’s story is coming to life, from her family’s holiday party to the sparkling Land of Sweets.
When the curtain rises on opening night, it won’t just mark the start of a national tour, it will signal the beginning of the holiday season right here in Central Illinois.
“With 30 children from Decatur and the whole Arts District participating, what happens when this goes well is that multiple organizations in the community pull in the same direction,” Talmi said. “That’s when you get a tradition that’s really valuable for folks.”
The magic of "The Nutcracker" begins right in Decatur, proof that sometimes, the holiday season’s sparkle starts in your own backyard.
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