Beyond the Nutcracker

Make Beyond the Nutcracker the centerpiece of your family’s holiday season. Ballet 5:8 brings its acclaimed Christmas ballet to Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park for four performances, December 18 through 20, 2026. Recognized by Pointe Magazine as one of Chicagoland’s Top 10 Nutcrackers, this professional production combines imaginative storytelling, breathtaking dance, live music and a full Christmas Market experience. Beyond the Nutcracker is more than a performance. It is a complete holiday outing for families, schools, groups and arts lovers traveling from Chicago, the suburbs, communities throughout Illinois and beyond. Arrive early to browse festive shopping, enjoy seasonal treats, take photos with Santa and soak in the warmth of the Christmas Market atmosphere. Then enter the theatre for a magical journey filled with courage, kindness, hope and light. THE STORY During the dark days of a great war, a wounded soldier named Abrahms whispers a desperate plea for another chance to live. A warm golden light appears, and within it stands Anastasis, a radiant and mysterious figure who tells him, “Your story isn’t over yet.” Years later, Abrahms arrives in foggy London to spend Christmas with the Cooper family. As the children gather around him, he opens a large, leather-bound book and begins telling a story of hope, kindness and the first Christmas. Emma, the youngest child, cannot stop thinking about the story. That night, the pages of the book seem to shimmer, drawing her into a dreamlike world where the shadows of war meet the light of wonder. With Uncle Abrahms and Anastasis beside her, Emma journeys from the hillside of Bethlehem to celebrations across the world. Along the way, she discovers how acts of love and courage can bring light to even the hardest places. When Emma wakes on Christmas morning, her heart is full. Her journey has changed the way she sees her family, her world and the meaning of Christmas itself. A FULL HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE The celebration begins before the curtain rises and continues after the performance. Guests are encouraged to arrive early or stay afterward to enjoy festive lobby activities for the whole family. Christmas Market activities include: Holiday Shopping Browse gifts, seasonal items and specialty products from local and regional vendors. Photos with Santa Capture a special family Christmas memory before or after the performance. Seasonal Treats Enjoy festive sweets and refreshments that make the theatre experience feel even more special. Holiday Atmosphere Take in the warmth, sparkle and excitement of a full Christmas outing. Past event partners have included Nothing Bundt Cakes, Book Bar Coffee Cart, Sugar Mama Skin Co., BLOCH, EVEN Hotel Tinley Park, North & Maple Restaurant and Ballet 5:8 merchandise. Information about 2026 vendors, hotel partners and restaurant partners will be announced in August. PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE Friday, December 18, 2026 7:00 PM Saturday, December 19, 2026 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM Sunday, December 20, 2026 3:00 PM LOCATION Carl Sandburg High School Orland Park, Illinois FAMILY INFORMATION Children are welcome at Beyond the Nutcracker, and the production is designed to be enjoyed by families, first-time ballet audiences and longtime theatre patrons alike. No previous knowledge of ballet is needed to follow the story. PERFORMANCE ADVISORY Beyond the Nutcracker includes battle scenes with theatrical sound effects, including simulated gunshots, as well as theatrical haze or smoke. These moments are part of the production’s wartime setting. MAKE IT A HOLIDAY TRIP Families and groups travel from across Illinois and beyond to experience Beyond the Nutcracker. Plan a full holiday outing with dinner, Christmas shopping, photos, seasonal treats and a professional ballet accompanied by live music. Hotel, restaurant, group, school and homeschool co-op information will be announced closer to the event. Bring your family and experience a Christmas story filled with wonder, adventure and meaning. Tickets are on sale now. Questions? Call 708-329-8773 or email [email protected].

Event Links

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