The time is nigh for the annual foray into the Land of Sweets and a visit with the Sugar Plum Fairy. This year, the Christmas party at the Stahlbaum house, the epic battle of mice and men, and other magical moments of "The Nutcracker" will play out in three locations in the Hudson Valley. On December 7, New Paltz Ballet Theatre begins a four-day stand at the Bardavon in Poughkeepsie, featuring regional artists and visiting dancers from the New York City Ballet. Across, the river, the Catskill Mountain Foundation brings together professional and aspiring dancers for three days of performances at the Orpheum Film & Performing Arts Center on December 8–10. On the same dates, Catskill Ballet Theatre will perform the famous ballet with guest artists from Dance Theatre of Harlem at UPAC in Kingston.
