Snow sparkles down from the sky outside while a candle-studded tree shimmers warmly in the parlor.
Senior Michael Crawford is proud to be a permanent guest at the festivities. He joins the toy soldiers and sugar plum fairies who make up the cast of The Nutcracker , the classic holiday ballet that tells the story of Clara, a little girl who dreams of an enchanted world full of shimmering snow, holiday sweets and toys brought to life. Through Dec 24, Crawford will be taking on the role of a party guest and a dancer in the magical Kingdom of the Sweets in a performance of The Nutcracker at Washington's Warner Theatre. Although the rehearsal schedule and intense preparations for performances have been demanding, the indescribable thrill of being onstage is what makes dancing, for Crawford, much more than just a simple pastime. A star is born For years, dancing has defined Crawford's everyday life.