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The Nutcracker

Dance

The Nutcracker Tickets

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About

The Nutcracker On Tour

Every adaptation of The Nutcracker is the same, yet each The Nutcracker is different from all others. Although it premiered in Saint Petersburg's Mariinsky Theatre on December 18, 1892, composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker wouldn't become the dependably magical holiday-season reaffirmation of Christmas joy we know and love until decades later.

Marius Petipa, who commissioned Tchaikovsky's music, and Lev Ivanov originally choreographed the world's most popular ballet. It was loosely based on Alexandre Dumas' The Story of a Nutcracker, the French writer's adaptation of The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, which was a fantastical story by German author E.T.A. Hoffmann. Mourning the recent death of his sister, Tchaikovsky was often unhappy while composing the work, which he nonetheless imbued with some of his most enduringly gorgeous music. (The descending melody in the adagio section of the "Grand Pas de Deux" is said to reflect his feelings.)

Russian ballet was flourishing at the time The Nutcracker debuted, and no expense was spared. In Petipa's production, 60 snowflakes wore long white tutus and matching crowns adorned with fluff balls. The battle scene's soldiers, meanwhile, were recruited from a military academy rather than ballet school, leading to a less-than-elegant confrontation.

The Nutcracker was fated to become more popular abroad than in its birthplace, and was subsequently tailored to suit its new audiences. Encouraged by local Russian émigrés, Willam Christensen mounted the first full American production in San Francisco in 1944. Ten years later, George Balanchine choreographed a landmark version for the New York City Ballet, imbuing it with what Nutcracker Nation author Jennifer Fisher calls its "familial feeling." Balanchine's version was broadcast on national television a few years later with narration by June Lockhart (of Lassie fame).

While nearly every subsequent version of The Nutcracker contains falling snow, fighting mice, dancing candy, and a growing tree (asked to produce it without the tree, Balanchine reportedly replied, "No, the ballet is the tree"), some intriguing mutations have emerged. These include Nutcrackers on ice, the animated adaptation Walt Disney included in the 1940 movie Fantasia, and The Harlem Nutcracker, a swinging jazz revision by choreographer Donald Byrd. 

A remarkably resilient blend of complex classical ballet, popular imagery, and holiday nostalgia, The Nutcracker has taken on a life of its own since it first appeared one cold Russian winter over 100 years ago.

Reviews

Rating: 4.2 out of 5 based on 4122 reviews
  • Rating: 2 out of 5

    Christmas Disappointment

    by LA Kennedy on 1/4/24The Orpheum Theatre Memphis - Memphis

    The Nutcracker performance retooled by Ballet Memphis was a terrible disappointment to my daughter and me. Without the classic context of the story, the scenes ranged from uninteresting to chaotic to ridiculous. Losing the glamorous holiday party and its story for a trip to the market created an environment that was neither charming nor intelligible. The switching of the exotic and fun cultural dances for the silly candy scenes was a boring mistake. And the male snow flakes - along with other unappealing costume “updates” - were almost laughable. As ever, the dancers delivered impeccable performances, though in many cases, the dances were cut short. And if anyone thought the elaborate scenery from Act II lifted the production, he or she would be sadly mistaken. The “niftier” background did little to make up for this abysmal experiment. If this is the way forward for Ballet Memphis and their Nutcracker, my daughter and I will definitely look for a traveling show featuring the real thing in Memphis or another town. I have been taking my daughter to the Ballet Memphis Nutcracker since she was eight, almost ten years. When she read the program and realized the show we’d been longing for was not to be, I knew she was fighting back the tears. This Nutcracker was no longer a highlight of our Christmas season.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    A beautiful ballet

    by The raccoon on 12/26/23Meridian Hall - Toronto

    The experience I had was enjoyable, I felt at ease and relaxed watching, the nutcracker .This ballet brought the Christmas spirit in my kids and me

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    An excellent take on a beloved Christmas story!

    by Dennis on 12/26/23San Gabriel Mission Playhouse - San Gabriel

    Wonderful dancing by both children and adults. Superb costumes.

  • Rating: 2 out of 5

    It was good but not for the price

    by PD on 12/26/23Meridian Hall - Toronto

    The dancers were great but there was more atmosphere, ambience needed to make it more special. Music wasn’t loud enough.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Wonderful

    by Sher on 12/26/23Meridian Hall - Toronto

    We had amazing orchestra seating at a very reasonable price. The Nutcracker was fantastic, the costumes were beautiful. The venue at Meridan was so reasonable including the drinks and gift shop prices. Well done!!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    The Nutcracker was fantastic!

    by David on 12/26/23Genesee Theatre - Waukegan

    The Nutcracker Ballet was so fantastic! The dancing and humor was so entertaining. It was hard to believe that the main ballerinas were High School Seniors and not professional dancers. The set designs were so beautiful and colorful. My girlfriend an I really enjoyed the show. The revitalization of the Genesee Theater is amazing.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Magic of the Nutcracker Really is Magicaal

    by Any Show Goer on 12/26/23Genesee Theatre - Waukegan

    The theater was beautiful and the spirit of the show perfectly kicks off the holiday. I loved seeing so many little ones in the audience in awe of the beautiful dancers and constumes on stage. This will definitely continue to be a part of my annual holiday tradition. Kudos to Dancenter North and the BEAUTIFUL Genesee Theatre.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Great Nutcracker!

    by Kat on 12/25/23Rose & Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center - Ft Lauderdale

    Sometimes the nutcracker can be beautiful but long and drawn out. This show moved at a good pace and had some beautiful dancers. Visiting professional artists dancing with local beauties was such a treat! Miss Lucy does a tremendous job! We so enjoyed!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Outstanding

    by Eddie on 12/25/23San Gabriel Mission Playhouse - San Gabriel

    Wow great 😊 show they performed perfectly my kids loved it

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Magical

    by Kimmy Lee on 12/25/23The Orpheum Theatre Memphis - Memphis

    It was a magical performance at the beautiful Orpheum. A perfect birthday gift spent with my children and grands!