Carolina Ballet Tickets

All in all, it was a beautiful performance. However, being a former dancer, there were several things I noticed that I'm sure most people did not. For example: the Hot Chocolate dancer fell out of her pose, a stagehand was very visible as he "rocked" Mother Gingerbread, the Snowflake dancers were very out of sync - actually, there were quite a few pieces where the dancers seemed to be out of sync. But - like I said, overall it was a well-done performance. The sets, the costumes, the music, and the talented dancers - we've seen Nutcracker five years in a row, and will continue the tradition!

Over the years we have always enjoyed seeing the Carolina Ballet and NC Symphony perforn the Nutcracker. Now with our oldest out the door in college we treasure this time together as a family all the more. This year's production was no exception. The symphony sounded wonderful and the dancers were all graceful. Now we are ready for Christmas :-)

I was disappointed with this production. The sets and costumes were beautiful, but the choreography was stilted and the (professional) dancers mostly off the music. I specify "professional" since this production has cast children as Clara, the Nutcracker, and other minor roles, so I want to make it clear that I find fault with those in the employ of the Carolina Ballet. However, I might add that the choreography given to the children wasn't very different from what I remember of middle school musical productions (skipping in a circle, over-the-top gesturing), which is the last thing I expected from a professional ballet company. This is excepting the incredibly talented Margaret Severin-Hansen, who danced the role of the butterfly the night that I attended: she was marvelous. It saddens me to write a negative review--I had hoped to enjoy the performance, as I'm a huge ballet fan and, as I live in Raleigh, want to support our local companies/productions/burgeoning art scene as much as possible. Alas, watching this performance was embarrassing: the gingerbread number in particular was painful, as was the dance of the snowflakes and waltz of the flowers, where company members muddled through the steps so often and so abominably that my husband and I had to suppress giggles. I hope that this was just a bad night for the dancers.

My daughter and I loved this year's presentation of the Nutcracker by the Carolina Ballet! The dancers were amazing, the symphony was beautiful, and the scenery was spectacular! A wonderful part of our Christmas tradition!

I took my 4 year old daughter - her first time seeing the Nutcracker. She loved it, and so did I! Great seats! The NC Symphony and the Carolina Ballet all in one!

Orchestra = excellent 1st act well done and very cute 2nd act ok-- very much not in-sync with one another-- solo performances, though, were good. Kids adorable!

Carolina Ballet's Nutcracker was exactly what it should be. The professional elements - set and costume design, choreography, "special effects" -were all beautiful. But the thing that makes this show a tradition for Raleigh to cherish was the creative use of local children in many roles. Kids romped thorugh the party scene. Tiny mice and tin soldiers duked it out under the giant Christmas tree. Kids twirled and bopped in sugarplum costumes like so many high-calories tops. The gingerbread kids who emerged from under Mother' Ginger's massive skirt stole the show with gymnastic energy. Young Clara and her prince were charming. The adult dancers were excellent. My party consisted of my sister, my daughter, and my six-year-old granddaughter, and we all found plenty to enjoy. Well done.

Great show, children performers were awesome. Very cute gingerbread dancers. Show was great and a must see for families during the holiday times.

I see Nutcracker almost every year. This year, at the performance I attended, I thought the ballet was a bit sloppy compared to years past. It was okay, and better than I could ever do, but in years past everything has been precise. I have been so amazed by the chocolate truffles gliding around the stage that I just stared at their feet to see if they were wearing skates. This year, they were not smooth at all in my opinion. The dancers' arms were not uniform, the lines were crooked, it was just not as precise as I have come to expect. I thought the orchestra was right on. And if anyone reads this, it was a 3:00 performance, the dancers might have just had a bad performance. I have always been amazed at the quality of dancing in the past, and I will go again next year. This e-mail came up asking for my comment and I complied.

Forty years ago I danced in the Nutcracker as a member of the Dallas Civic Ballet so attending any Nutcracker performance is a dream come true. The Raleigh performance was incredible. The scenery, the costumes, but mostly the dancing was breathtaking. And, of course the adorable children stole my heart. I can't wait till next year!

I enjoyed the performance, but definitely more children oriented. The sets and costumes were wonderful. The dancers were great to watch.

Outstanding Riveting! Worth risking my life while driving through the dangerous road conditions! A must see!

It was so incredibly cute, all the children dancing with the adults - very talented people, so much fun!

Fun, Fun, Fun!!! It was a great show! It was my husband's first time at a Ballet. He wants to come back to see the other shows coming soon. Thanks to the wonderful and talented ballet dancers and musicians for sharing their God given gifts to the world. Thank you Alvarado Family

The Nutcracker by the Carolina Ballet was spectacular. The dancers were very talented and graceful, but the orchestra really made this production shine. The music was energetic and passionate. The costumes and set design were fabulous. You get the feel of a hometown ballet with the talent and energy of a professional production. Highly recommended!

The set was amazing. The dancing was beautiful, especially the Sugar Plum Fairy and cute little sugar plums. What a great memory for me and my daughter at Christmas time.

We live in Rochester and have seen the Messiah many times - but wow this was amazing

I didn't know what to expect going into this presentation. A pleasant surprise to say the least--It was one of the best ballets and choral presentations I have ever experienced. (And I am old enough to have seen Nureyev and Fonteyn). The choreography was excellent, the dancers exceptional- you could see the joy in their faces as they danced. I can't wait to see it again, though I may have to wait five years!

This amazing event makes me so proud of our town and our state. The choreography is thrilling, the NC Chorale is stunning and the lighting and staging is spectacular! This is a truly spiritual experience for me and does what great art should do--takes an ineffable experience and transports you to the Divine. Thank you Carolina Ballet and Robert Weiss--and to the whole team for this magical holiday gift!

Awesome is the only description I can think of to describe the performance. The music and the ballet were wonderful. Very powerful in both areas.