Public On Sale: Friday, October 17, 2025 at 10 a.m.

Venue presale starts at 12 p.m, Tuesday, October 14, with code NUTCRACKER. Presale tickets can be purchased online at www.AXS.com or in person at the Peabody Box Office.

The 7 p.m. performance of The Nutcracker is a full two-act production with an intermission.

The cast of over 80 performers in this magnificent production comes from participating dance studios across Central Florida, with choreography produced by eight choreographers from multiple studios. This event is a collaborative community project with professional guest artists.

Set to the classical music of the Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, the story comes alive when a young girl Clara, performed by Emery Crooke, receives a magical Nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve from her mysterious magician godfather Herr Drosselmeyer, played by Donovan Mansfield. Drosselmeyer’s young Apprentice, played by Kelan Halloran, befriends Clara and protects her from her naughty young brother Fritz, played by Jayden Dawson and from his rowdy friends.

As she drifts asleep, in her dream a battle ensues between the army of mice led by the Rat King, played by Ralph Medley, and by the Mouse Queen, played by Emma Thomas, against the army of toy soldiers led by her beloved Nutcracker, played by Kelan Halloran. As Clara helps the Nutcracker to overthrow the Mouse Queen and the Rat King, a spell is broken. The Nutcracker is transformed back into a Prince who looks just like her protector Apprentice. To thank Clara for her bravery, the Prince takes her on a journey through an enchanted Snow Forest where they meet a majestic Snow Queen, played by Gabriella Palmer, and a North Star, played by Juliane Carpio.

Traveling through the swirling snowflakes, Clara and her Prince arrive to the Kingdom of Sweets. The beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier, performed by the guest artists, greet them with sweet confections from exotic lands of Arabia, Spain, Russia, France, and China. The exquisite Dew Drop played by Amelia Palmer enchants Clara and the Prince with the magnificent Waltz of the Flowers. The guest artists will join the cast for the Saturday evening and for the Sunday matinee shows.

During the performances, the Peabody lobby will be transformed into a quaint German village. Patrons can purchase unique Nutcracker gifts from the Drosselmeyer’s Magical Toy Shop and indulge in sweet delights from the breathtaking Kingdom of Sweets Shoppe. The on-line silent auction will once again showcase the unique items in the lobby available for bidding.

Children's Sugar Plum Tea Party

There are two offerings for the highly anticipated Children’s Sugar Plum Tea Saturday at 12:30 pm and at 3:30 pm (before and after the Family Series performance). Please note: There will not be a Children's Sugar Plum Tea prior to the 7 p.m. performance.

Children ages 3-12 will enjoy sweet confections and other holiday treats in a fairytale atmosphere with beautifully decorated trees and tables. A few of the Nutcracker characters will make an appearance to pose for photos to enhance the holiday experience.

Only a child requires a Tea ticket to attend the Tea; however, only one accompanying adult per child is allowed in the Rose Room due to space limitation. Children’s Sugar Plum Tea tickets are $25 per child as an add-on. Show ticket and a Tea ticket are required for admission.

Children’s Sugar Plum Tea Times & Purchase Links:

• Buy Dec. 6th - 12:30pm Sugar Plum Tea Party Tickets Here.

• Buy Dec. 6th - 3:30pm Sugar Plum Tea Party Tickets Here. 

• Buy Dec. 7th - 12:30pm Sugar Plum Tea Party Tickets Here.