Loved it!
by Sean on 12/25/23Sandler Center For The Performing Arts - VIRGINIA BEACHMy all time Christmas show! Edo playing violin .john on stage and the Dancers! It was cool to watch friends perform but it's my favorite show !!
Venue
Academy of Music - PA
Venue
Academy of Music - PA
Venue
Academy of Music - PA
Venue
Academy of Music - PA
Venue
Academy of Music - PA
Venue
Academy of Music - PA
Venue
Academy of Music - PA
Venue
Academy of Music - PA
Venue
Academy of Music - PA
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.
My all time Christmas show! Edo playing violin .john on stage and the Dancers! It was cool to watch friends perform but it's my favorite show !!
Awesome presentation by Dance Center North of The Nutcracker . This was our third year of seeing it and we will be back next year. Highly recommend going.
We had a great experience. The show was great. We also bought beautiful souvenirs. We hope to see another ballet.
More of a play than a ballet. Most of the performers where ok but you can tell they are still learning
They performed this effortlessly I felt I like I could do it
Took my 19 year old granddaughter who had never seen the Nutcracker. We really enjoyed the performance except for the unexpected hiccup with the false alarm where everyone had to leave the building, but it made for a really interesting night. Lol I appreciate the precautions the management took and it was just a minor thing. We really enjoyed the performance.
This performance of Nutcracker may have been my favorite even above NYC.
We enjoyed this performance very much. My 9 year old grandson was extremely involved in every dance movement and the music
Wonderful show. Staff was excellent. Loved it and I would definitely go back. Great experience.
NJ PAC is a great venue. I've seen concerts (Patti LaBelle, Diana Ross to mention 2), movies (Jurrasic Park) and the ballet. I wanted to see the Ukrainian Ballet Company in support of them while their country is at war fighting off an invasion. It was a great way to see the Nutcracker. The performance was terrific
This was my 3 daughters’ first ballet and it was a tremendous experience. The dancers were amazing (we particularly loved the Grandma character!) and my kids sat on the edge of their seats. The conductor and orchestra were elite! We bought tickets to Cinderella on the spot because we loved it so much. The entire dance company should be proud of the way their expertise can inspire all audience members! Please keep bringing this talent back to Virginia Beach!
Took both of my granddaughters for the first time and they absolutely loved it.
Crying babies and loud angry kids interrupted our enjoyment of the performance making it hard to hear orchestra. They were not taken outside by their selfish parents. And no usher requested them to leave to allow us to enjoy the play. My decision to return for my 14th year will be measured by a change in this. Very disappointed.
Ballet Virginia and The Virginia Beach Symphonicity were wonderful. My daughter and I really enjoyed the performance. Definitely helped me get into the Christmas spirit!!
To not start the show on time because people don’t know how to tell time is disrespectful for those that did plan and manage their time correctly. It would be one thing if it was just a few minutes but 20 minutes is ridiculous. What happened to the Nutcracker?! Act 2 was insane. Hot chocolate? Candy canes? I have been going to the Nutcracker since I was 6 years old and this was the first time I’ve ever been disappointed. Why change something that has a history and tradition? I will be looking for another ballet company if this continues into next year. Very disappointing.
We (my wife and I) enjoyed the Nutcracker. We have seen it many times, but this year's performance was refreshing and different. Although I am more partial to previous performances, with Clara sleeping and dreaming, this year's play was equally good. The performers did outstanding, especially Clara. I would highly recommend any performance that the Virginia Ballet participates in.
They gave it a good try and it was nice but they might consider upping their game for next year. The dances for Spain, Arabia and Russia need some work. Otherwise, we had a lovely evening. It is a lovely ballet and story.
Took.my 4 granddaughters to our annual outing to the nutcracker. We enjoyed it very much. This is our first time at this venue. Enjoyed everything about this visit.
Absolutely FABULOUS production -- by far the best in LA County!! I highly recommend the PDT "Nutcracker"for ages 5 to 105!
The professionalism of the performance leaves much to be desired. The ballet program in some places does not correspond to the true program.