Sacred Heart-Griffin head football coach Ken Leonard, the all-time winningest coach in Illinois High School Association history who has guided teams to five state titles, will appear in the Springfield Youth Performance Group Foundation (SYPG) production of The Nutcracker: Land of the Sweets. Leonard will portray Uncle Drosslmeyer in the holiday classic featuring dancers from the SYPG Studio Company, Preparatory Company, and local young dancers, including cast members from Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Illinois.
In addition to his role as SHG’s football coach, Leonard is also a Capitol Township Trustee.
“I’m excited for my first ever performance and especially with my granddaughter, Julia Leonard.”
Leonard will be performing in both shows on Sunday December 11th. He shares the role with Sherman Mayor Trevor Clatfelter who will be performing in the Saturday shows.
Live shows take place at 2pm and 6pm on December 10 and 11 at Sacred Heart Griffin Auditorium, 1200 West Washington Street, Springfield. Tickets are $25 per adult and $15 per child (13 and under), and may be purchased at www.sypgfoundation.org. Children are invited to participate in free activities and crafts in the Nutcracker’s Workshop 30 minutes prior to the start of each show. A live stream of the 2pm show on December 10 will also be available to purchase at www.sypgfoundation.org.
The Nutcracker: Land of the Sweets is sponsored by Springfield Clinic and SIU School of Medicine. For more information, email sypg@sypgfoundation.org or call 217-553-4475.
