50 years of The Nutcracker for Albany Berkshire Ballet

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Albany Berkshire Ballet is celebrating 50 years of performing The Nutcracker.

It was 1974 when the company's Artistic Director, Madeline Cantarella Culpo, launched Albany Berkshire Ballet's production of The Nutcracker, which has become a tradition for both the company and for audiences in the Capital Region and the Berkshires.

Culpo watched as the dancers perfected their choreography Wednesday morning at the studio in Albany, with performances slated for Pittsfield this weekend. Albany Berkshire Ballet's The Nutcracker--now a local holiday staple--felt like an impossible dream to Culpo 50 years ago.

"It was very difficult then," Culpo recalled. "Now, it's a piece of cake. I have a wonderful support system. My wonderful people who did dance with me have come back from their professional careers, so all the work is done by my ballet mistresses and it's just wonderful."

"As much as it's been the same production for 50 years, the different dancers have all brought their own personal touch," said Lisa McBride, one of the rehearsal directors at Albany Berkshire Ballet.

Performances run at the Pittsfield Colonial Theatre Saturday, December 7 at 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. as well as Sunday, December 8 at 1 p.m.

The show comes to The Egg in Albany Saturday, December 14 at 1:30 and 5:30 p.m. as well as Sunday, December 15 at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Tickets for Albany Berkshire Ballet's The Nutcracker can be purchased online.