Nutcracker offers new tradition for families

For two years now, The Moscow Ballet's "Great Russian Nutcracker," sponsored by Youngstown State University's College of Fine and Performing Arts and Ballet Western Reserve, has enchanted thousands of Mahoning Valley residents and is well on the way to establishing a new holiday tradition.
The "Years Ago" photo on the page opposite this one shows a tradition of years past -- families flocking to Youngstown's big department stores to do their Christmas shopping, admire the window displays and enjoy the holiday spirit.
Those times are now only memories. But tradition doesn't have to be just a memory.
Magic: The many families that came to see the Nutcracker last year in beautiful Edward J. Powers Auditorium were there again this year and are already looking forward to next year, perhaps when younger children might be old enough to enjoy the spectacle or just because coming to the ballet is such magical entertainment and generates such excitement in our community..
If George McCloud, dean of the College of FIne and Performing Arts, has his way, live, instead of recorded music -- perhaps from the Dana School of Music or the Youngstown Symphony -- could be in the Nutcracker's future. But that will take considerable additional support. As with many arts events, ticket sales can't cover all the costs, and budget cuts always hit the arts first.
Yet throughout the world, the arts are the people's life line. Surely that is true here in the Valley, as well.
People coming together in joy is good for the soul and good for the heart.