The International Ballet Theater (IBT), which features Redmond performers, is dedicating its upcoming performances of “The Nutcracker” at the Kirkland Performance Center (KPC) to two of the most influential men in the city’s history. One of them, former Kirkland mayor Bill Woods, will also be performing in the ballet in the role of the grandfather. The other man is Chuck Morgan, who died in 2009 at age 98. He was simply known as “Mr. Kirkland” and performed the role of the Godfather into his 90s.

Vera Altunina, a choreographer at IBT, said the theater’s take on the ballet is based on the traditional version first choreographed in 1892.

“I tried to keep on the original version,” she said. “It’s very warm.”

The performances, set for Dec. 5-7, signal a return to the KPC after six years performing at other venues in the greater Seattle area. A reception will be held for Woods and honoring Morgan from 6-7 p.m. on Dec. 6.

Altunina said the dedication to Morgan and Woods is a gesture of gratitude for the work they did to create the KPC and encourage the arts in the city.

“In the past, Chuck Morgan was the greatest supporter of our company,” she said. “He also tried to help to sustain our presence at KPC.”

She also said they’re paying tribute to the numerous times Morgan played the Godfather role, which he finally relinquished in 2008.

“He was amazing,” she said. “He was an absolutely amazing person… We wanted to pay tribute to this man who had so much passion and dedication to Kirkland.”

Woods, who was a close friend of Morgan, offered to take up the mantle.

“I said if you are up to the beats and you are able to dance and not afraid of stage, I am more than happy,” she said.

The Reporter was unable to contact Woods for comment prior to press deadline. The two men are credited with efforts to raise the $6 million that ultimately allowed the Kirkland Performance Center to open its doors in 1998. Altunina said during IBT’s hiatus from KPC they played at Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue, but they always felt like Kirkland was their home.

Now that they are back they are having to alter some aspects in order to accommodate the 85 performers on the smaller stage.

“It’s going to be pretty challenging to get all the dancers on,” she said. “But I’ve done it before and it works pretty well. We might take out some theatrical effects because…the KPC facility is not equipped for it… other than that everything is stayed the same as choreographed.”

The IBT first performed “The Nutcracker” in 2003. More information about the performances can be found at www.kpcenter.org/performances/thenutcracker and www.ibtbellevue.org. For more information and tickets, call (425) 822-7694.