Marian Morgan as Clara and Erik Beckham as The Nutcracker in Ann Brodie's Carolina Ballet Ann Brodie's Carolina Ballet will present The Nutcracker Thanksgiving week at the Township Auditorium. It features international guest artists together with the company of over 100 and a full orchestra and chorus. Performances are November 21 at 10 am, November 23 at 7 pm, November 24 at 8 pm and November 25 at 3 pm.

The ballet orchestra is the Columbia Festival Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Eric Chi- Yuan Chu. Chu serves as director of the Columbia Music Festival Association. He divides his time between his native China and the U.S. Joining the orchestra this year is the Greater Columbia Children's Choir and the Kershaw County Children's Choir under the direction of Susan Wyatt. The roster of international guest artists is led by Evgeny Luskin, who dances the role of the Nutcracker Cavalier; Serguei Chrytkov, the Snow Cavalier; Eriberto Jimenez, Spanish Chocolate; Jose Rivera, Arabian Coffee; and Alexandra Christian, Sugar Plum Fairy.

Maggie Livingston dances the role of the Snow Queen; Gillian Connor, Marzipan Shepherdess; Jimmy Moon, Herr Dr. Drosselmeyer; Marian Morgan, Clara; Erik Beckham, Nutcracker Prince; Corey

Mangum, Harlequin and Chinese Tea; Alex Abikhaled, Columbiane; Meredith Wright, Devil Doll; Ashley Mallory, Dew Drop; Eduardo Ramirez, Arch Angel; Chris Beattie, Rat King; and Jenna Roberts, the Russian Twist divertissement. Members Lanny Spires and McCree O'Kelley will also perform in the first act.

The choreography of the toy soldiers, first created by Naomi Calvert, has been restaged by Deanna Cobb.

The production is under the direction of Mimi Worrell with Joulia Moisseeva. Amy Shuler, Nancy Atkinson, Greg Layden, Tonya Harris, Susan Dabney, and Anna Dragoni Logan have worked extensively with the cast for coaching and rehearsals. John Whitehead is executive director for the entire production.

The Friday night performance, November 23, pays tribute to the City of Columbia Police, Fires,and EMS workers with many of them together with their families attending as guests.

The Tuesday morning program is a special program and is the full length production of The Nutcracker presented as a regular part of the curriculum for Richland School District One. This has been an ongoing event since the mid 1960s.