This week, we're talking with Richard Smith and Brett Benedict of the Central Illinois Ballet. The company is in its debut season, and they're presenting two performances of the holiday classic, "The Nutcracker." We talk a little bit about the new company, and about finding a distinctive "take" on a work that's performed so often. We also ask how dancers feel about performing "The Nutcracker" so frequently.
Performances are Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the ICC Performing Arts Center in East Peoria.