“Gifts of the Season” merges the dancing, story, and music of “The Nutcracker” with the message of Christianity in an original production developed over the years by Harmony School of Creative Arts in Marble Falls.
Over 90 young dancers ages 18 and younger put on two performances a year at Hill Country Fellowship Church in Burnet. This year, the two shows drew a total audience of around 800 people.
“This is not just a recital for parents and families,” said Harmony Operations Director Valerie Crim. “People plan their holiday travel plans around it. A lot of out-of-towners come just for this.”
All those patrons of the arts must have voted in The Picayune Magazine and KBEY 103.9 FM Radio Picayune’s 2024 Locals Love Us contest. “Gifts of the Season” was chosen as Favorite Theater Production.
Crim chalks it up to the performance’s emotional impact.
“It inspires,” she said. “It brings people to tears. You cry, you laugh. Our tiniest dancers are in there, too, and they always make you smile.”
The school began producing “The Nutcracker” annually more than 25 years ago. It changed over the years into “Gifts of the Season,” mixing the traditional score of Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s Russian classic with more modern music.
The Locals Love Us nod of approval is validating, Crim said.
“I am completely honored for our school,” she continued. “I’m humbled. The children put this on. All the dancers are 18 and under. That it would be voted the best, my jaw just drops.”
That’s certainly en pointe!