OBERLIN — Blending classical ballet with contemporary dance and an innovative spin on a holiday classic, A 1940s Nutcracker presented by Neos Dance Theatre will perform at the Stocker Arts Center on Dec. 15 and 16 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. with two student matinee performances for schools on Dec. 15 at 9:45 and 11:45 a.m.

Set in 1940’s Northern Ohio, the innovative retelling of the classic Nutcracker story uses projection mapping technology to allow the dancers to be immersed in scenes that would have taken place in World War II-era, featuring locations such as the Women’s Club, The Steel Yard, the Light House, the Palace Theatre, and more, while still maintaining the integrity of the original plot line and Tchaikovsky’s score.

After receiving national attention from The Atlantic for using cutting edge technology in A 1940’s Nutcracker Neos Artistic Director Bobby Wesner said this production is much larger than just The Nutcracker.

“This is about … our entire region,” Wesner said. “We’ve seen the value these annual productions bring to communities both culturally and economically and I feel wholeheartedly that our region is deserving of its own unique retelling of this story.”

In addition to the Neos company, guest student dancers from the new Neos Center for Dance in Oberlin and surrounding area dance schools will perform in the production. Other adult members of nearby communities will also join the cast. Featured dancers from Ashland, Cleveland, Lorain, Vermilion, Wellington, Oberlin, Akron, Elyria, and more are listed below.

Tickets are on sale now starting at $10 at the Stocker Arts Center Box Office, via phone at (440)366-4040, and online at www.lorainccc.edu/stocker/ . Military seats for both the Orchestra and Mezzanine are $10.00 each, 2-tickets per one Military ID. Orchestra: $35/Adults; $30/Seniors and children 12 and under; Mezzanine: $28.00/Adults; $24.oo Seniors and children 12 and under; $23.00/LCCC Students. The back two rows of the Mezzanine for the Friday and Saturday evenings performances are only $15.00/each, first-come, first-served, non-transferable.

Joining Neos Dance Theatre’s professional dancers are:

Sisters: Madelyn Drost & Lyla Yoho;

Sisters Friend: Emma Kucbel;

Party Guest: Regina Wolf, Isabella Soto, Abby Wells;

Grandpa: Brett Drummond;

Gus: Ella Wojciechowski;

Mice: Lyla Yoho, Arowyn Wesner, Isabella Kobylarz, Madelyn Drost, Amelia Overstreet, Ophelia Calhoun, Emma Kucbel;

Soldiers: Zenobia Calhoun, Isabella Soto, Abby Wells, Skyla Bautista, Sage Crawford, Isabella Barb, Brooke Justice;

Andrew Sisters: Amaris Madding, Regina Wolf, Alicia Matheson;

Angels: Lyla Yoho, Emma Kucbel, Arowyn Wesner, Isabella Kobylarz, Maddie Drohst, Amelia Overstreet, Ophelia Calhoun;

Angels: Alicia Mathenson, Skyla Bautista, Brooke Justice;

Shirley Temple Dolls: Olivia Kucbel, Mattie Thibodeau, Sophia Soto, Lydia Huff, Flynn Yoho;

Rosie the Riveters: Celia Romanoski, Brittany Drost, Ian Smith;

The Band: Zenobia Calhoun, Ella Wojciechowski, Isabella Soto, Abby Wells, Sage Crawford, Isabella Barb, Brooke Justice

‘A 1940’s Nutcracker’ is made possible with funding provided by the Nord Family Foundation, the Robert and Esther Black Family Foundation Fund of the Richland County Foundation, The Fred B. and Marian J. Hout Fund of the Richland County Foundation, and the Hire Family Foundation. Neos Dance Theatre’s 2017-18 season sponsors are Richland Source and The Butterfly House.