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Photos: 'The Nutcracker' returns to Woodstock Opera House

Woodstock Opera House hosts 'The Nutcracker'

Clara, played by Kassandra Nestle, raises the nutcracker gift given to her by Herr Drosselmeyer, played by Peter Heinz, back, during a rehearsal for "The Nutcracker." About 170 performers will take to the stage with rotating casts. Performances will take place 7 p.m. Dec. 20, 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 21 at 2 and 6 p.m. Dec. 22. at the Woodstock Opera House. (Matthew Apgar)

Clara, played by Kassandra Nestle, raises the nutcracker gift given to her by Herr Drosselmeyer, played by Peter Heinz, back, during a rehearsal for "The Nutcracker." About 170 performers will take to the stage with rotating casts. Performances will take place 7 p.m. Dec. 20, 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 21 at 2 and 6 p.m. Dec. 22. at the Woodstock Opera House. (Matthew Apgar)

Miniature Clara, performed by Delainey Shasteen, and Santa, played by Brooks Moyer, leap into the air during the Judith Svalander Dance Theatre's rehearsal for "The Nutcracker" on Wednesday at the Woodstock Opera House. Performances will take place 7 p.m. Dec. 20, 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 21 at 2 and 6 p.m. Dec. 22. (Matthew Apgar)

Wardrobe mistress Mary Kay Lawrence of Crystal Lake puts the finishing touches on the tiara worn by the sugar plum fairy, Pernille Gast of Harvard, 17, as they prepare for rehearsal. (Matthew Apgar)

Tom Bieschke reacts in character as Judith Svalander (right) gives instruction during a rehearsal for "The Nutcracker" on Wednesday at the Woodstock Opera House. (Matthew Apgar)

Kenny Bieschke, playing the role of Herr Drosselmeyer's nephew, lifts Arianna Hogue in the air during a rehearsal for "The Nutcracker" on Wednesday at the Woodstock Opera House. (Matthew Apgar)

Kenny Bieschke, who plays Herr Drosselmeyer's nephew, leaps into the air during rehearsal for "The Nutcracker." (Matthew Apgar)

Herr Drosselmeyer, played by Peter Heinz, shows off the nutcracker he gives to Clara. (Matthew Apgar)

Ballet dancers from the Judith Svalander Dance Theatre perform around Kassandra Nestle (from left), Kenny Bieschke and Ella Weyland during a rehearsal for "The Nutcracker" on Wednesday at the Woodstock Opera House. (Matthew Apgar)

Greta Heinz performs onstage during a rehearsal for "The Nutcracker" on Wednesday at the Woodstock Opera House. (Matthew Apgar)

Ballet dancers perform with pointe shoes during a rehearsal for "The Nutcracker" on Wednesday at the Woodstock Opera House. (Matthew Apgar)

Judith Svalander makes some minor adjustments to the Herr Drosselmeyer costume worn by Peter Heinz of Crystal Lake during a rehearsal for "The Nutcracker" on Wednesday at the Woodstock Opera House. (Matthew Apgar)

Claire Hogan performs with a ribbon as Clara, played by Kassandra Nestle (left), and assistant artistic director Julie Fiore-Hirsch (right) watch during a rehearsal for "The Nutcracker" on Wednesday at the Woodstock Opera House. (Matthew Apgar)

Dancers surround Kenny Bieschke and Ella Weyland during a rehearsal for "The Nutcracker" on Wednesday at the Woodstock Opera House. (Matthew Apgar)

Pernille Gast comforts Clara, played by Kassandra Nestle, after the nutcracker is broken during a rehearsal for "The Nutcracker" on Wednesday at the Woodstock Opera House. (Matthew Apgar)

Kathryn Rowley dances with a book titled "The Nutcracker" during a rehearsal for "The Nutcracker" on Wednesday at the Woodstock Opera House. (Matthew Apgar)

Clara, played by Kassandra Nestle (center), rushes to the nutcracker after it fell and broke during a rehearsal for "The Nutcracker" on Wednesday at the Woodstock Opera House. (Matthew Apgar)

Judith Svalander works with the ballet dancers onstage during a rehearsal for "The Nutcracker" on Wednesday at the Woodstock Opera House. (Matthew Apgar)

Chesney Murphy (left) and Julie Fiore-Hirsch work with ballet dancers from the Judith Svalander Dance Theatre during a rehearsal for "The Nutcracker" on Wednesday at the Woodstock Opera House. (Matthew Apgar)

Judith Svalander helps Kenny Bieschke, portraying Herr Drosselmeyer's nephew, and Tom Bieschke (back) during a rehearsal for "The Nutcracker" on Wednesday at the Woodstock Opera House. (Matthew Apgar)

A nutcracker waits onstage as dancers perform from the Judith Svalander Dance Theatre rehearse for "The Nutcracker" on Wednesday at the Woodstock Opera House. (Matthew Apgar)