When her niece is cast in The Philadelphia Ballet's production of the Nutcracker, a jaded ex-ballerina is forced to come to terms with the life and love she left behind, in this Hallmark original movie.
All Lily Jamison has wanted to do since the time she could stand upright is to dance. So when, at 22, she is offered a spot in the New York Ballet, Lily's big sister and biggest fan, Beth, helps convince Lily's mom that she needs to let Lily follow her destiny.
The ballet provides Lily with everything she's always wanted, including the coveted opportunity to finally dance the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy, and opposite her boyfriend, Mark Anders, as the prince.
Lily's dreams are all coming true, until opening night, when she gets the devastating call telling her that Beth has been killed in an accident. Heartbroken and crushed by Beth's death, Lily, however, decides to go on with the performance... in honour of Beth.
Fearing for her physical safety in performing such a difficult ballet while so fragile and vulnerable, Mark refuses to let her go on and insists that she leaves New York to be with her family. Mark knows it's the end for the couple, but he cares far too much for Lily to risk her safety on stage.
Lily never danced again after that night in New York, nor has she seen Mark. But nearly 8 years later, when her niece, Sadie (Sophia Lucas) gets the opportunity to dance the role of Clara in Philadelphia, Lily accompanies Sadie, and is thrown for a loop when she comes face-to-face once again with Mark, who is directing the ballet.
Reluctantly, Lily agrees to help Mark out by coaching two of the show's principal dancers. But when the Sugar Plum Fairy walks out days before opening night, Lily agrees to step in and begins round-the-clock rehearsals to finally perform her dream role.
But when the egotistical dancer returns expecting to walk back into her Sugar Plum Fairy role at will, Lily is certain that, once again, Mark is standing between her and her dream.
But before the curtain goes up on The Nutcracker, there will be more changes in the cast that are destined to bring the Prince and The Sugar Plum Fairy together at last, both on stage and off.
| CHANNEL |
SABC3 |
| PREMIERE |
10 December 2017 |
| TIMESLOT |
Sunday, 19h00 |
| REPEATS |
None |