One of the most time-honored Christmas traditions returns to the local stage in December, when Prairie Dance Alliance’s version of “The Nutcracker” hits the stage in Marshall after a four-year hiatus. The local performance is usually presented every two years but wasn’t held in 2020 because of the pandemic. And this year, there is a definite Tracy flavor.
Addison Kainz is preparing for her fourth “Nutcracker.” She first played a Mouse in the Battle Scene and has also taken on different parts in the Land of the Sweets and the Snow Scene. This year, she is Fritz, an Icicle and a Chinese player.
“I like the way that (‘The Nutcracker’) gets Christmas out and spreads the Christmas spirit.”
Kainz, 14, started dancing at the age of 3. She is a freshman at Tracy Area High School. She said she likes being able to perform with friends and making new friends.
“It’s a good way to do something all together,” she said. “Normally I’m not around the younger girls much because we have different classes, so it’s fun to spend time with them and everyone else.”
Kainz is one of a number of Tracy residents in this year’s presentation, joining, John, Katie and Caroline Lanoue, Harper Landuyt, Muriel Coutler, Danica Paulsen, Tom Hesse and Konrad Engel Kainz, an exchange student from Germany staying with the Kainz family.
“It’s fun,” Caroline Lanoue said giggle. “I was dancing since I was a little kid, when I was 3, I think.”
Caroline, who is in the fourth grade, plays a Russian, a Soldier and a Peppermint Tumbler.
See more in this week’s paper!