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Dance

The Nutcracker Tickets

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Rating: 4.3 out of 5 based on 4209 reviews

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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: 4.3 out of 5 based on 4209 reviews
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  • It was good but not for the price

    by PD on 12/26/23Meridian Hall - TorontoRating: 2 out of 5

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

  • Wonderful

    by Sher on 12/26/23Meridian Hall - TorontoRating: 5 out of 5

    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!!

  • The Nutcracker was fantastic!

    by David on 12/26/23Genesee Theatre - WaukeganRating: 5 out of 5

    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.

  • Magic of the Nutcracker Really is Magicaal

    by Any Show Goer on 12/26/23Genesee Theatre - WaukeganRating: 5 out of 5

    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.

  • Great Nutcracker!

    by Kat on 12/25/23Rose & Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center - Ft LauderdaleRating: 5 out of 5

    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!

  • Outstanding

    by Eddie on 12/25/23San Gabriel Mission Playhouse - San GabrielRating: 5 out of 5

    Wow great 😊 show they performed perfectly my kids loved it

  • Magical

    by Kimmy Lee on 12/25/23The Orpheum Theatre Memphis - MemphisRating: 5 out of 5

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

  • Loved it!

    by Sean on 12/25/23Sandler Center For The Performing Arts - VIRGINIA BEACHRating: 5 out of 5

    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 !!

  • The Nutcracker

    by Linda L on 12/24/23Genesee Theatre - WaukeganRating: 5 out of 5

    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.

  • The Nutcracker December 17th

    by no nickname Carlotta on 12/24/23Sandler Center For The Performing Arts - VIRGINIA BEACHRating: 5 out of 5

    We had a great experience. The show was great. We also bought beautiful souvenirs. We hope to see another ballet.

  • Not really a ballet

    by Mike on 12/24/23The Orpheum Theatre Memphis - MemphisRating: 2 out of 5

    More of a play than a ballet. Most of the performers where ok but you can tell they are still learning

  • Excellent

    by Adiontis on 12/23/23The Orpheum Theatre Memphis - MemphisRating: 5 out of 5

    They performed this effortlessly I felt I like I could do it

  • Enjoyed

    by gosjohn316 on 12/22/23Baton Rouge River Center Theater - Baton RougeRating: 4 out of 5

    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.

  • Excellent!!!!!

    by Anonymous on 12/21/23The Orpheum Theatre Memphis - MemphisRating: 5 out of 5

    This performance of Nutcracker may have been my favorite even above NYC.

  • Delightful

    by CHiebert on 12/20/23Sandler Center For The Performing Arts - VIRGINIA BEACHRating: 5 out of 5

    We enjoyed this performance very much. My 9 year old grandson was extremely involved in every dance movement and the music

  • Wonderful

    by Pattie on 12/20/23The Orpheum Theatre Memphis - MemphisRating: 5 out of 5

    Wonderful show. Staff was excellent. Loved it and I would definitely go back. Great experience.

  • Ukraine Ballet

    by Jon Batiste and The Rolling Stones 5/23/24 MetLife Stadium on 12/20/23New Jersey Performing Arts Center - NewarkRating: 5 out of 5

    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

  • Wonderful Performance

    by NathanWilliams on 12/20/23Sandler Center For The Performing Arts - VIRGINIA BEACHRating: 5 out of 5

    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!

  • A great experience

    by ET on 12/20/23Baton Rouge River Center Theater - Baton RougeRating: 5 out of 5

    Took both of my granddaughters for the first time and they absolutely loved it.

  • Crying babies disrupt performance

    by Disruptive Children during Performance on 12/20/23Baton Rouge River Center Theater - Baton RougeRating: 4 out of 5

    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.