♪ >> NARRATOR: Tonight, a timeless holiday classic reimagined.

>> When audiences come to see this, I hope they're opening up their eyes as they were when they were children, and seeing it through the children's eyes.

>> NARRATOR: Taking you backstage and front row center.

>> I hope young audiences fall in love with ballet, and falling in love with going to the ballet, and I hope they feel like they've gone on some sort of magical ride.

>> It's a magical way to bring people into the art form and introduce people to the world of ballet.

I think it's really a awesome holiday tradition for everyone to watch.

♪ >> NARRATOR: Join us for the magic of The Nutcracker next.

Major funding for this program is made possible by Kathy and Gary Anderson, by Jim Hodge, and by the Wennerstrom Phillips Fund for Classical Music.

Additional corporate support is provided by IU Credit Union.

♪ >> This is two minutes.

Two minutes to top of show.

This is final places.

Places, please, for Fritz, Marie, mother, father, butler and all maids.

Anyone not yet in places, this is final places.

Places, please.

♪ Hurry, everyone, this is two minutes, two minutes to top of show.

Front of house has confirmed we are set for an on-time start.

So this is an early warning on lights 5 through 11.

>> Lights standing by.

>> Orchestra is tuning.

Stand by maestro entrance with spot one up on maestro.

>> Pit ready and maestro listening.

>> This is early warning on rail for main curtain out.

>> Copy that.

Rail is ready.

>> Stage left is ready.

Stage right is ready.

Isabella, please confirm places when you have them.

>> I have places.

Back ready.

>> Confirmed presets are green and safe.

>> Light's green.

>> Here we go.

Stand by maestro walk out.

This will be walk and prelude.

House lights to half.

>> House to half.

>> Ready to walk.

Go, maestro.

>> Walking.

>> Turning the show over.

We are live.

Have a great show, everybody.

[ Applause ] ♪ [ Applause ] ♪ [ Applause ] ♪ [ Applause ] ♪ [ Applause ] Wow.

I'm WTIU Director of Development Amy O'Shaughnessy here with former WTIU General Manager Perry Metz.

And we're joining you from the Musical Arts Center at the IU Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington.

And what a magical production this has been so far.

It's magnificent.

Recorded live in 2024 right here at the MAC, this contemporary take on the beloved holiday ballet features a full orchestral performance conducted by Judith Yan and stunning choreography by Sasha Janes.

From the elaborate costumes to the mesmerizing set design.

Producer Todd Gould, director Kevin Newberry and our production team at WTIU have captured every detail to celebrate the incredible talent and artistry of the dancers, musicians and production team.

Stay tuned for interviews with members of the cast and creative team throughout our broadcast.

This new take on the timeless classic is in its third season at the Jacobs School of Music, and you could be one of the first fans to see the 2025 production Support WTIU as a $30 monthly sustainer right now, and we will send you and a guest to a special preview night here at the MAC It will include a welcome reception, a meet and greet with members of the creative team, and a special preview performance.

We will also include our brand new iHeart PBS tote full of Nutcracker thank you gifts.

Call (800)987-9848 or give on our secure website now.

Here's more.

With flowing visuals and immersive sound.

The Nutcracker at the Jacobs School of Music blends the grandeur of live theater with the intimacy of film, bringing viewers closer to the music, movement and emotion on stage than ever before.

Become a sustaining member of WTIU at $15 a month, and we will thank you with this mesmerizing production on your choice of DVD or high definition Blu ray.

Each disc contains bonus features not seen in this broadcast.

We will also include The Nutcracker and the Mouse King on CD.

Award winning actor Alan Cumming recounts the three part tale based on the original novella by Etta Hoffmann, set to the music of Tchaikovsky, performed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

Become a monthly Sustaining Member at $20 and receive your choice of the DVD or Blu ray and a paperback volume featuring two of the original tales behind the iconic Christmas ballet, both in new translations.

Etta Hoffmann's Nutcracker and Mouse King from 1816 and the Alexandre Dumas 1845 adaptation.

The tale of the Nutcracker, based on Hoffmann's popular work.

Make your important investment in local arts programing on WTIU with a $30 sustaining monthly membership, and we will host you and a guest for an exclusive sneak preview of this season's production of The Nutcracker at the Jacobs School of Music, Wednesday, December 3rd at the Musical Arts Center in Bloomington.

The evening will include a welcome reception, a meet and greet with members of the creative team, and the opportunity to be among the first to see the 2025 production.

We will also include the I heart PBS tote, filled with all the thank you gifts in this program.

Enjoy this timeless holiday classic reimagined.

Passes are limited for this very exclusive opportunity.

Call or go online now and thank you.

Now, PBS has always been America's largest stage for the arts.

And because of member support, we able to produce local news, documentaries and arts productions like The Nutcracker at the Jacobs School of Music.

It also has allowed the station to share this and other WTIU productions nationwide with audiences of other PBS stations.

This is how the system has functioned for more than 50 years.

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting would distribute funds to member stations.

They in turn produce the PBS content You've Come to Love.

And to share it with stations across the nation.

But right now, the system is being tested like never before.

On July 18th, $1.1 billion of federal funding previously approved by Congress was clawed back from stations through a rarely used rescission process.

This is in addition to the $450,000 of state funding for public media that was cut in April.

Locally, that amounts to a $1.8 million loss in funding for WTIU and our sister station WFIU.

The power is in your hands right now to keep WTIU strong in the months and years to come.

If you're already a sustaining WTIU member, thank you so much for your support.

Think about increasing your monthly donation if you can, or if you've never given or it's been a while.

Start your monthly sustaining gift right now by calling (800)987-9848 or by visiting our secure website.

Sustaining membership is an easy and convenient way to support the programs you love.

As a WTIU sustaining member, you make an ongoing monthly contribution from your checking account or credit card.

The amount you give is entirely up to you.

Your donation will happen each month, so you never have to worry about your membership expiring.

If you do need to change the amount of your monthly contribution, just contact us.

Best of all, when you make a qualifying donation, you can enjoy our most popular member benefit whenever you want.

WTIU Passport.

With passport, you will have early and extended access to an incredible collection of drama, art, science and history programing.

You can stream these shows on your TV using the PBS app or your Roku, Apple TV, fire TV, Samsung Smart TV or Android TV or watch on your phone, tablet or computer.

So please go online or call to start your WTIU sustaining membership today.

For more than 130 years, the beloved holiday classic The Nutcracker has enchanted audiences all over the world.

At the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.

Choreographer and ballet professor Sasha Janes carefully blends favorites from the traditional ballet with innovative adaptations for a 21st century audience.

I feel like whoever's at the party in the first act must then be represented in the second act.

Like when you have a drama, you've been a party and you're like, wait, I've seen that person before, but they just so we can make the connection through Marie's mind.

Sasha's ballet is very whimsical and it has a lot of tie ins.

I would say the plot is very deep.

There's a lot of moments of connection.

That's just a small sample of the behind the scenes interviews available on the DVD and Blu ray of this production.

And it can be yours at any of our suggested giving levels.

During this special broadcast, over 20 minutes of additional interviews, including a video not only revealing the behind the scenes efforts of the ballet department and the stage production team at the MAC, but also footage of our audio and video crew and the efforts made to capture rare video camera angles and musical recording and mix, utilizing state of the art equipment and techniques to bring this production into people's living rooms all over the U.S.. And if you want to see this top notch production in person, we have a limited number of passes to see a special preview performance this December.

Right here at the MAC.

When you give us a sustainer at $30 a month, we will send you two passes for this special event.

But act now.

They'll be going fast.

Here's more.

Make your important investment in local arts programing on WTIU with a $30 sustaining monthly membership, and we will host you and a guest for an exclusive sneak preview of this season's production of The Nutcracker at the Jacobs School of Music, Wednesday, December 3rd at the Musical Arts Center in Bloomington.

The evening will include a welcome reception, a meet and greet with members of the creative team, and the opportunity to be among the first to see the 2025 production.

It will also include the I heart PBS tote, filled with all the thank you gifts in this program.

Call or go online now and thank you.

Amy, it's about time to head back for more of this outstanding production of The Nutcracker, but there's still time to support our efforts to bring you the best arts programing on television.

Call (800)987-9848 or give online now.

Now back to the show.

♪ [ Clock striking midnight ] ♪ [ Applause ] ♪ [ Laughter ] ♪ [ Applause ] ♪ [ Applause ] ♪ [ Applause ] ♪ [ Applause ] Hello, I'm Perry Metz, back here at IU's Musical Arts Center, known simply as the MAC, along with Amy O'Shaughnessy.

Thanks, Perry.

What a first act.

We saw the arrival of Drosselmeier.

A magician in every sense of the word.

She takes great care of an interest in Marie and bestows a gift to her in the form of a nutcracker.

Little does she know that later that evening, Drosselmeier will make every imagined dream connected to this new toy come to life.

We just saw the epic battle between the Nutcracker and the Mouse King.

And just when it seems hope is lost.

It's really Marie that saved the day.

We'll take you back to the second act in a few minutes.

But first, we want to tell you about an exciting way to support local arts programing on WTIU.

When you become a TIU sustainer at $30 a month or more, we'll treat you and a guest to a special Nutcracker preview event December 3rd right here at the MAC It will include a welcome reception, a meet and greet with members of the creative team, and a special preview performance.

You'll be among the first fans to see this season's magical production.

Plus will include our new iHeart PBS tote and other special Nutcracker gifts.

These passes are very limited.

So call (800)987-9848 right now or visit our secure website.

Here's more.

With flowing visuals and immersive sound.

The Nutcracker at the Jacobs School of Music blends the grandeur of live theater with the intimacy of film, bringing viewers closer to the music, movement and emotion on stage than ever before.

Become a sustaining member of WTIU at $15 a month, and we will thank you with this mesmerizing production on your choice of DVD or high definition Blu ray.

Each disc contains bonus features not seen in this broadcast.

We will also include The Nutcracker and the Mouse King on CD.

Award winning actor Alan Cumming recounts the three part tale based on the original novella by E.T.A Hoffmann, set to the music of Tchaikovsky, performed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

Become a monthly Sustaining Member at $20 and receive your choice of the DVD or Blu ray and a paperback volume featuring two of the original tales behind the iconic Christmas ballet, both in new translations.

E.T.A.

Hoffmann's Nutcracker and Mouse King from 1816 and the Alexandre Dumas 1845 adaptation.

The tale of the Nutcracker, based on Hoffmann's popular work.

Make your important investment in local arts programing on WTIU with a $30 sustaining monthly membership, and we will host you and a guest for an exclusive sneak preview of this season's production of The Nutcracker at the Jacobs School of Music, Wednesday, December 3rd at the Musical Arts Center in Bloomington.

The evening will include a welcome reception, a meet and greet with members of the creative team, and the opportunity to be among the first to see the 2025 production.

We will also include the I heart PBS tote, filled with all the thank you gifts in this program.

Enjoy this timeless holiday classic reimagined.

Passes are limited for this very exclusive opportunity.

Call or go online now and thank you.

Can we do that?

Quick transition.

This is 3039.

This ballet has these wonderful universal themes.

It's a gathering of family and community.

There are themes of goodness and bravery and generosity.

And I think these are all universal qualities that we aspire to, which are qualities that transcend differences in culture and languages and differences in even time and place.

It's wonderful to hear from Judith and all the members of the creative team that came together to bring this newly imagined production to the stage and to the screen.

This clip is part of a roughly five minute behind the scenes video that's available on the full broadcast version of this program, now streaming with WTIU Passport.

That's right.

With your qualifying donation.

You can watch this program again on demand without interruption, online at PBS.org or on the PBS app.

WTIU Passport unlocks a world of streaming all of your favorites from PBS and WTIU.

Like Great Performances, Nature, Nova, Masterpiece dramas, the entire Ken Burns collection, and more.

It's all there waiting for you.

All our suggested thank you gift levels during this program qualify you for WTIU passport.

Here's more on our most popular member benefit ever.

If you're looking for trustworthy news and entertainment.

Simply download the PBS app.

It's free and available right now on nearly any connected device.

If you're interested in a larger library of programs, your qualifying contribution will give you access to WTIU Passport an added benefit of membership.

Binge entire seasons of your favorite dramas and documentaries all on demand.

Become a sustaining member now and enjoy your favorite shows anytime and anywhere.

The Nutcracker is a timeless classic, and we are thrilled to bring this innovative production from the stage to the screen, allowing free access to viewers of all ages throughout our Indiana viewing area and across the country through national distribution with American Public Television.

But recent funding cuts are putting the entire public media system at risk.

We've heard from so many WTIU viewers asking what they can do to help the station in this uncertain time.

Honestly, the most powerful thing anyone can do is to become a monthly sustaining member.

Our members tell us they find it to be the most convenient way to give.

It's easier on your monthly budget and your membership is ongoing so you never have to worry about renewing.

Plus, in this critical time for public media, it gives the station the ongoing financial support needed to bring you the news and entertainment that you rely on throughout the year.

if you're already a monthly sustaining member, thank you.

Your generosity brings classical ballet into local homes, amplifies national stories with local relevance, and supports lifelong learning across south central Indiana.

Your support is vital to our work.

We ask you to consider increasing your support if you can.

We've seen many members choose to double their support in the wake of these funding cuts.

Every dollar helps keep great programing coming your way.

Become a sustainer or increase your monthly support to $30 or more, and we will send you and a guest to our special Nutcracker event here on December 3rd, right here at the Musical Arts Center.

Here's more.

With flowing visuals and immersive sound.

The Nutcracker at the Jacobs School of Music blends the grandeur of live theater with the intimacy of film, bringing viewers closer to the music, movement and emotion on stage than ever before.

Become a sustaining member of WTIU at $15 a month, and we will thank you with this mesmerizing production on your choice of DVD or high definition Blu ray.

Each disc contains bonus features not seen in this broadcast.

We will also include The Nutcracker and the Mouse King on CD.

Award winning actor Alan Cumming recounts the three part tale based on the original novella by E.T.A Hoffmann, set to the music of Tchaikovsky, performed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

Become a monthly Sustaining Member at $20 and receive your choice of the DVD or Blu ray and a paperback volume featuring two of the original tales behind the iconic Christmas ballet, both in new translations.

E.T.A.

Hoffmann's Nutcracker and Mouse King from 1816 and the Alexandre Dumas 1845 adaptation.

The tale of the Nutcracker, based on Hoffmann's popular work.

Make your important investment in local arts programing on WTIU with a $30 sustaining monthly membership, and we will host you and a guest for an exclusive sneak preview of this season's production of The Nutcracker at the Jacobs School of Music, Wednesday, December 3rd at the Musical Arts Center in Bloomington.

The evening will include a welcome reception, a meet and greet with members of the creative team, and the opportunity to be among the first to see the 2025 production.

We will also include the I heart PBS tote, filled with all the thank you gifts in this program.

Enjoy this timeless holiday classic reimagined.

Passes are limited for this very exclusive opportunity.

Call or go online now and thank you.

We're heading into the second act shortly.

Amy.

But there's still time to support this and future productions from WTIU.

Call (800)987-9848 or make your donation online right now.

Enjoy the show.

[ Applause ] ♪ [ Applause ] ♪ [ Applause ] ♪ [ Applause ] [ Bicycle bell ringing ] ♪ [ Applause ] ♪ [ Applause ] ♪ [ Applause ] ♪ [ Applause ] ♪ [ Applause ] ♪ [ Applause ] Welcome back to The Mack, the musical arts center here at IU's Jacob School of Music for this very special presentation of The Nutcracker.

I'm Amy O'Shaughnessy, WTIU Director of Development, along with former WTIU General Manager Perry Metz.

Good to be with you, Amy.

You know, as I watched that first segment of the second act, I'm simply amazed by the physical abilities of these dancers.

As we enter the Land of Sweets, we see incredible performances representing cultures from around the world.

And of course, the iconic dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Waltz of the flowers.

Even if you aren't familiar with The Nutcracker, you instantly recognize those pieces of music, and it's presented so well by the Jacobs cast and crew and by our own production team at WTIU, And we have an incredible opportunity to join us here at the MAC December 3rd for a special preview event of the 2025 production of The Nutcracker, give now as a WTIU monthly sustainer at $30.

And we will put your name on two passes for the event, which includes a welcome reception, a meet and greet with members of the creative team behind the production, and a special preview performance.

Passes are limited for this event.

Our membership team fulfills requests in the order they are received, so call now (800)987-9848 or give online on our secure website.

With flowing visuals and immersive sound.

The Nutcracker at the Jacobs School of Music blends the grandeur of live theater with the intimacy of film, bringing viewers closer to the music, movement and emotion on stage than ever before.

Become a sustaining member of WTIU at $15 a month, and we will thank you with this mesmerizing production on your choice of DVD or high definition Blu ray.

Each disc contains bonus features not seen in this broadcast.

We will also include The Nutcracker and the Mouse King on CD.

Award winning actor Alan Cumming recounts the three part tale based on the original novella by E.T.A Hoffmann, set to the music of Tchaikovsky, performed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

Become a monthly Sustaining Member at $20 and receive your choice of the DVD or Blu ray and a paperback volume featuring two of the original tales behind the iconic Christmas ballet, both in new translations.

E.T.A.

Hoffmann's Nutcracker and Mouse King from 1816 and the Alexandre Dumas 1845 adaptation.

The tale of the Nutcracker, based on Hoffmann's popular work.

Make your important investment in local arts programing on WTIU with a $30 sustaining monthly membership, and we will host you and a guest for an exclusive sneak preview of this season's production of The Nutcracker at the Jacobs School of Music, Wednesday, December 3rd at the Musical Arts Center in Bloomington.

The evening will include a welcome reception, a meet and greet with members of the creative team, and the opportunity to be among the first to see the 2025 production.

We will also include the I heart PBS tote, filled with all the thank you gifts in this program.

Enjoy this timeless holiday classic reimagined.

Passes are limited for this very exclusive opportunity.

Call or go online now and thank you.

This is a vital time to support public media when our viewers, in a sense, become the program directors because you're voicing your support.

Your financial support and saying, yes, I want more of this.

I want to invest in this not only for you and your friends and your neighbors, but for your entire community, and perhaps for people who can't afford to join themselves.

This station is a cultural resource, just like the library, the ballet, the opera.

It's a service, and you make it all possible.

When you become a sustaining member at (800)987-9848.

The role public media plays in our society is as important now as ever, and so is viewer support.

This is the time to do everything in our power to build a more predictable financial future for WTIU.

You have the power to keep this station strong and resilient by becoming a monthly donor today.

If you're already a sustaining member, thank you.

If you're able, please consider increasing your monthly support.

Maybe for those passes for our Nutcracker event.

Many things are out of our control right now, but this is a place where you can make a difference.

Make a sustaining gift to you right now.

Just call or click.

Choose the level that's right for you and we'll do the rest.

Oh.

There's so many amazing changes from Drosselmeier being a woman to the wonderful interpretation of the cultures in the first act and how they parallel the cultures in the second act.

He doesn't do anything because it's the way it's always been done.

He does everything in this ballet with an eye to a reason for the future.

State of the art stage direction, video design and projection help transport audiences into a holiday wonderland.

We decided to create this box that appeared to be that way at the beginning.

But then as the ballet goes on and the storytelling goes on, we subvert that space in many different ways, allowing us to sort of time travel and space travel to all of these different places in a way that you wouldn't know.

Choreographer Sasha Janes says he drew some inspiration for this production of The Nutcracker from the original text of The Nutcracker and Mouse King by Prussian author E.T.A.

Hoffmann and the French adaptation by Alexandra Dumas.

When you give during this program, as monthly sustain of $20 or more, you can request this paperback volume that includes both original tales behind the modern Christmas ballet.

These are both new translations of Nutcracker and The Tale of The Nutcracker.

In addition, there's a very informative introduction written by Jack Zipes which details the evolution of The Nutcracker from an old world Russian ballet to a modern New World Christmas tradition in America.

As a reminder, all of the suggested giving levels include this program on your choice of DVD or high definition Blu ray, and qualifies you for WTIU Passport.

Let's take another look at all of those great thank you gifts now.

With flowing visuals and immersive sound.

The Nutcracker at the Jacobs School of Music blends the grandeur of live theater with the intimacy of film, bringing viewers closer to the music, movement and emotion on stage than ever before.

Become a sustaining member of WTIU at $15 a month, and we will thank you with this mesmerizing production on your choice of DVD or high definition Blu ray.

Each disc contains bonus features not seen in this broadcast.

We will also include The Nutcracker and the Mouse King on CD.

Award winning actor Alan Cumming recounts the three part tale based on the original novella by E.T.A Hoffmann, set to the music of Tchaikovsky, performed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

Become a monthly Sustaining Member at $20 and receive your choice of the DVD or Blu ray and a paperback volume featuring two of the original tales behind the iconic Christmas ballet, both in new translations.

E.T.A.

Hoffmann's Nutcracker and Mouse King from 1816 and the Alexandre Dumas 1845 adaptation.

The tale of the Nutcracker, based on Hoffmann's popular work.

Make your important investment in local arts programing on WTIU with a $30 sustaining monthly membership, and we will host you and a guest for an exclusive sneak preview of this season's production of The Nutcracker at the Jacobs School of Music, Wednesday, December 3rd at the Musical Arts Center in Bloomington.

The evening will include a welcome reception, a meet and greet with members of the creative team, and the opportunity to be among the first to see the 2025 production.

We will also include the I heart PBS tote, filled with all the thank you gifts in this program.

Enjoy this timeless holiday classic reimagined.

Passes are limited for this very exclusive opportunity.

Call or go online now and thank you.

if you gave your support during this break?

Thank you for making an investment in arts and culture on WTIU.

And if you haven't yet make that investment now call (800)987-9848 or visit us online.

Now back to the show.

♪ [ Applause ] ♪ [ Applause ] ♪ [ Applause ] ♪ [ Applause ] ♪ [ Applause ] ♪ [ Applause ] ♪ [ Applause ] ♪ [ Applause ] ♪ [ Applause ] ♪ [ Applause ] ♪ [ Applause ] ♪ [ Applause ] ♪ [ Applause ] ♪ [ Applause ] ♪ [ Applause ] ♪ [ Applause ] ♪ [ Applause ] ♪ [ Applause ] ♪ [ Applause ] ♪ [ Applause ] ♪ [ Applause ] ♪ [ Applause ] ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause ] That ending did not disappoint.

Welcome back one last time to the Musical Arts Center at Jacobs School of Music.

I'm Perry Metz, and I'm Amy O'Shaughnessy.

How great was that, Perry?

We really hope you enjoyed this special presentation of The Nutcracker at Jacobs School of Music, and we hope you'll stay with us for more behind the scenes in a few minutes.

But first, we hope you'll show your applause for this production and all the great performances you enjoy right here on WTIU.

That's right.

It's viewer support that allowed us to bring this magical show from the stage to the screen, not only to families across Indiana, but also to the entire country through national distribution, through American Public Television.

And when you join right now as a $30 monthly sustaining member, you can be one of the first to see the 2025 production of The Nutcracker right here in the Musical Arts Center on the IU campus.

It will be a night to remember for all ages.

Here's more.

With flowing visuals and immersive sound.

The Nutcracker at the Jacobs School of Music blends the grandeur of live theater with the intimacy of film, bringing viewers closer to the music, movement and emotion on stage than ever before.

Become a sustaining member of WTIU at $15 a month, and we will thank you with this mesmerizing production on your choice of DVD or high definition Blu ray.

Each disc contains bonus features not seen in this broadcast.

We will also include The Nutcracker and the Mouse King on CD.

Award winning actor Alan Cumming recounts the three part tale based on the original novella by E.T.A Hoffmann, set to the music of Tchaikovsky, performed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

Become a monthly Sustaining Member at $20 and receive your choice of the DVD or Blu ray and a paperback volume featuring two of the original tales behind the iconic Christmas ballet, both in new translations.

E.T.A.

Hoffmann's Nutcracker and Mouse King from 1816 and the Alexandre Dumas 1845 adaptation.

The tale of the Nutcracker, based on Hoffmann's popular work.

Make your important investment in local arts programing on WTIU with a $30 sustaining monthly membership, and we will host you and a guest for an exclusive sneak preview of this season's production of The Nutcracker at the Jacobs School of Music, Wednesday, December 3rd at the Musical Arts Center in Bloomington.

The evening will include a welcome reception, a meet and greet with members of the creative team, and the opportunity to be among the first to see the 2025 production.

We will also include the I heart PBS tote, filled with all the thank you gifts in this program.

Enjoy this timeless holiday classic reimagined.

Passes are limited for this very exclusive opportunity.

Call or go online now and thank you.

As you know right now in public media, there's a challenging funding landscape.

And PBS stations like you are innovating to ensure we can continue our essential public service to you.

One thing we know is that member support is going to be crucial to sustain the public service mission of public television.

Becoming a sustaining monthly donor or increasing your existing monthly support is a really powerful thing that you can do right now to ensure the reporting, storytelling, and world class performances you rely on remain strong for our shared future.

We're asking you to help us meet this moment by calling (800)987-9848 or by visiting our secure website.

Best of all, when you make a qualifying donation, you can enjoy all these additional benefits of WTIU membership.

Now is the time to become a sustaining member of WTIU and support the programs you love.

Your qualifying contribution to WTIU.

You will open a world of streaming programing thanks to WTI you passport, instant access to stream your favorite shows like Masterpiece, Nova and so much more.

Available online or through the PBS app on most connected devices.

You will also receive our program guide delivered to your mailbox each and every month.

Never miss your favorite shows again and stay up to date on all the great programing WTIU offers.

And of course there is the WTIU Digital Member Card.

This exclusive Member benefit entitles you to a wide array of dining, lodging and entertainment savings in South Central Indiana.

All of this can be yours.

But first, you need to pick up the phone and join the thousands of other Hoosier families who support WTIUs exceptional programing.

Become a WTIU sustainer today and start enjoying these fantastic benefits.

The Nutcracker has certainly stood the test of time.

First written as a fairy tale by E.T.A.

Hoffmann in 1816, then adapted by Tchaikovsky into a ballet in 1892.

We have a special thank you gift that combines the traditional text and music of the ballet in a very unique performance.

When you support you with a monthly sustaining membership of just $15, we'll send you The Nutcracker and the Mouse King on CD.

Actor, writer and host of Masterpiece Mystery, Alan Cumming dramatically narrates the story set to the music of Tchaikovsky and performed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

We'll also include a copy of The Nutcracker at the Jacobs School of Music.

On your choice of DVD or Blu ray, let's take one last look at all of those great thank you gifts With flowing visuals and immersive sound.

The Nutcracker at the Jacobs School of Music blends the grandeur of live theater with the intimacy of film, bringing viewers closer to the music, movement and emotion on stage than ever before.

Become a sustaining member of WTIU at $15 a month, and we will thank you with this mesmerizing production on your choice of DVD or high definition Blu ray.

Each disc contains bonus features not seen in this broadcast.

We will also include The Nutcracker and the Mouse King on CD.

Award winning actor Alan Cumming recounts the three part tale based on the original novella by E.T.A Hoffmann, set to the music of Tchaikovsky, performed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

Become a monthly Sustaining Member at $20 and receive your choice of the DVD or Blu ray and a paperback volume featuring two of the original tales behind the iconic Christmas ballet, both in new translations.

E.T.A.

Hoffmann's Nutcracker and Mouse King from 1816 and the Alexandre Dumas 1845 adaptation.

The tale of the Nutcracker, based on Hoffmann's popular work.

Make your important investment in local arts programing on WTIU with a $30 sustaining monthly membership, and we will host you and a guest for an exclusive sneak preview of this season's production of The Nutcracker at the Jacobs School of Music, Wednesday, December 3rd at the Musical Arts Center in Bloomington.

The evening will include a welcome reception, a meet and greet with members of the creative team, and the opportunity to be among the first to see the 2025 production.

We will also include the I heart PBS tote, filled with all the thank you gifts in this program.

Enjoy this timeless holiday classic reimagined.

Passes are limited for this very exclusive opportunity.

Call or go online now and thank you.

I hope the audience members walk away with a huge smile on their face, just joy in their heart and excited to come back next year.

It's cool to get to bring an audience into my own snowglobe of the little world of Nutcracker, and let them experience the story with me.

I hope young audiences fall in love with ballet and fall in love with going to the ballet, because they're our audience for the future, to keep the work alive, and I want them to forget where they are and forget that this thing, a ballet and just go out and say, that was an awesome two hours I just spent watching ballet.

I didn't know it was ballet.

I hope they feel like they've gone on some sort of magical ride.

Join us right here at the Musical Arts Center on December 3rd for a special 2025 Nutcracker Preview event.

There will be a welcome reception, meet and greet with members of the creative teams at Jacobs and WTIU, and a special performance of The Nutcracker.

Call or click now with your sustaining monthly gift of $30 or more, and our membership team will do the rest.

Well, as Sasha said, it certainly has been a magical ride over these last 2.5 hours.

We'd like to thank our friends here at Jacobs and the MAC for hosting us for this special broadcast.

And thank you, Perry.

It's been my pleasure, Amy.

Thank you to everyone at home who became members for the first time, or increased their monthly support, or even made an additional gift.

And if you haven't made that move yet, there is still time.

Call (800)987-9848 or give online.

Thank you.

Thank you.

You.

You.

[ Cheers and applause ] >> Major funding for this program is made possible by Kathy and Gary Anderson, by Jim Hodge, and by the Wennerstrom Phillips Fund for Classical Music.

Additional corporate support is provided by IU Credit Union.