WVIA airs ‘The Nutcracker’ by Scranton Civic Ballet for first time on TV Dec. 20-27

From a press release:
For the first time, WVIA will produce and air the Scranton Civic Ballet Company’s annual production of “The Nutcracker” on Sunday, Dec. 20 at 6 p.m. on WVIA-TV.
This is the ballet company’s 34th annual “Nutcracker” presentation. Typically, it is shown as a live educational performance for 1,200 school children at no charge, but adjustments had to be made this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. It will now be seen on television across 21 counties throughout Pennsylvania, and schools will receive a digital link to enhance their virtual curriculum with this artistic performance.
A COVID Creative Community Grant from the Lackawanna County Council on the Arts made this inaugural collaboration between WVIA and the Scranton Civic Ballet possible.
“WVIA is honored to present this performance to the people of Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania,” said WVIA President and CEO Carla McCabe.
Under the artistic direction of Miss Helen M. Gaus, 60 students and adults, ranging in age from 8 to 50, will share the timeless tale of Clara, Drosselmeyer, and the Nutcracker that unfolds as the delicate Sugar Plum Fairy and all of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s musical sprites weave their enchanting spell.
“Scranton Civic Ballet Company is thrilled to collaborate with WVIA and would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to WVIA and Lackawanna Council on the Arts for providing us an opportunity to share our beloved ‘Nutcracker’ tradition to the community,” Gaus said.
Encores of the program will air on Thursday, Dec. 24 at 8 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 25 at 4 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 27 at 2 p.m.
Founded by Gaus in 1978, the Scranton Civic Ballet Company is a nonprofit organization focused on dance education and performance. The Civic Dance Centre (234 Mifflin Ave., Scranton) is the official school of the company, whose mission is to educate its members and the public in the art of dance while bringing the talents of well-known artists, choreographers, and master teachers into Northeastern Pennsylvania for students as well as local audiences.
For additional details regarding “The Nutcracker,” visit the Scranton Civic Ballet Company’s Facebook page.
VIA Public Media in Pittston, the PBS and NPR affiliate for Northeastern Pennsylvania, educates, inspires, entertains, and fosters citizenship, diverse cultures, and perspectives to nurture community.
WVIA-TV can be found on over-the-air antenna on channel 44 and on all major network providers in Northeast Pennsylvania and the Central Susquehanna Valley; it also streams live at wvia.org and on the PBS App. WVIA carries PBS Kids programming all day on its second channel, 44.2; corresponding educational resources for PBS Kids programming can also be found at wvia.org.