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Dance

The Nutcracker Tickets

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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
  • Nutcracker

    by Kolleen on 12/24/22Genesee Theatre - WaukeganRating: 4 out of 5

    It started late, the set and costumes were beautifully done. The dancers were elegant and graceful. This is my fifth time seeing this troupe perform and watching each dancer grow into their craft-they introduced some very special additions. Great talents one and all. Merry Christmas and thank you.

  • No orchestra

    by r. s. on 12/20/22Meridian Hall - TorontoRating: 2 out of 5

    Beautiful dancers, costumes and entertaining. Very disappointed that there was not a live orchestra.

  • Expectacular

    by German on 12/20/22Meridian Hall - TorontoRating: 5 out of 5

    The Colours of the customs and the expertise of the dancers The sound very nice

  • Politics involved in art :(

    by Maddie on 12/20/22Meridian Hall - TorontoRating: 3 out of 5

    I never seen nutcracker before. I did some research online and found out the original story was taking part in Russia. This one was made out all about the Ukraine which is great for proceeds to go towards humanitarian adds. But I feel the performance lost its originality. Main dancers were from Ukraine, wonder if Russian dancers were excluded because of this war. Feels like politics find its place in art and doesn’t feel good. I paid hefty price to bring my family but feel I didn’t get the most of it, original charm and wish someone has told me about.

  • Felt like a high school show

    by MS on 12/20/22Meridian Hall - TorontoRating: 1 out of 5

    I specifically chose international Toronto Ballet for a decent performance. Props and figures felt like I was watching a high school show as opposed to ballet. quiet disappointed especially for the price I paid...

  • Duluth storyline version is a disappointment

    by Linda B. on 12/20/22DECC Symphony Hall - DuluthRating: 1 out of 5

    Dancing, music and performers were all wonderful. The storyline is awful however. While I realize change is often good and reflects current situations, there are some key pieces from the Duluth version that are completely gone. Just one of many examples is no more Rat (or Mouse) King! That’s like having no Clara or no Nutcracker! My entire group, which I take as an annual family outing every year, Ww won’t go back. We’ll travel elsewhere. So sad.

  • The music was great. The dancing was beautiful, but I really

    by Sqlster on 12/19/22DECC Symphony Hall - DuluthRating: 3 out of 5

    I brought my granddaughter for the first time, and I was really looking forward to the original story. The dancing was beautiful and the music was great, but I miss the old story.

  • Not the nutcracker

    by Lee on 12/16/22DECC Symphony Hall - DuluthRating: 3 out of 5

    First of all just want to say i did enjoy the show but my wife wanted to see the nutcracker all her life so i finally got us tickets when we showed up they informed us that they were doing there own version of the nutcracker which upset me a little bit but all and all good show just not the nutcracker

  • loved it!!

    by jill on 12/16/22The Stanley - UticaRating: 5 out of 5

    First time viewer for me!! Loved it all! the kids were great and just a really great ballet

  • Disappointing

    by Unhappy Nutcracker on 12/15/22Beau Rivage Theatre - BiloxiRating: 1 out of 5

    This event started 40 minutes late with no updates to audience, encountered technical difficulties about 30 minutes in, and resumed from the beginning after the 15 minute delay. We left at that point. Very frustrating evening. We’d rate ZERO stars if that were an option.

  • Good just not great

    by JP on 12/14/22DPAC - Durham Performing Arts Center - DurhamRating: 4 out of 5

    Show was good but there were little kids next to us and they should have never been allowed, they were in and out of their seat and talked during the whole first half. The dancers were out of sync and almost fell several times, maybe a bad night for them.

  • Awesome

    by Deb on 12/14/22DPAC - Durham Performing Arts Center - DurhamRating: 5 out of 5

    The whole experience was awesome! Easy to get to the DPac everyone was so helpful and nice. Had a great time

  • Nutcracker Suite Ballet

    by Sandy on 12/14/22DECC Symphony Hall - DuluthRating: 5 out of 5

    Absolutely beautiful! The ballerinas were in perfect form absolutely perfection! I’m looking forward to see the Nutcracker Ballet next year!

  • Slow

    by Tawn on 12/14/22DECC Symphony Hall - DuluthRating: 3 out of 5

    Started late by 20 minutes. Performers did a good job. Not interested in ever going again

  • Nutcracker

    by Betty on 12/14/22DECC Symphony Hall - DuluthRating: 4 out of 5

    Great performances! We were a little confused by the Duluth references but after we googled the storyline to refresh our memories it made sense. I think the younger children would have liked more color in the costumes. The dancers were great! The total lack of dialogue was hard for most of the adults in my group and the kids didn't get it at all.. Overall I'd go see again.

  • Fantastic way to kick off the holidays

    by L on 12/14/22Broome County Forum Theatre - BinghamtonRating: 5 out of 5

    Excellent. Beautiful costumes, very professional. What a wonderful way to kick off the holidays with family and friends.

  • An amateur production

    by DrM on 12/14/22Victory Theatre - EvansvilleRating: 2 out of 5

    I see The Nutcracker at the same venue every year. It is always professionally done and amazing. This year, unbeknownst to me, it was a semi amateur production with a few professionals dispersed throughout. That was definitely not what I expected or wanted to see. Next year, I will look for a different production done elsewhere.

  • Nutcracker

    by SugarPlum Fairy on 12/14/22DECC Symphony Hall - DuluthRating: 5 out of 5

    The performance was outstanding- creative, inclusive and awesome. However I paid $675.00 for 4 tickets from a re-sell site. I will never buy tickets on line again. This site took advantage of my inexperience.

  • Nutcracker

    by Deborah on 12/14/22Beau Rivage Theatre - BiloxiRating: 2 out of 5

    Very Disappointed it was a local amateur production. Not what I was expecting.

  • New perspective on an old favorite

    by Aimee on 12/14/22DECC Symphony Hall - DuluthRating: 4 out of 5

    What a joy to experience the magic of Christmas with the annual Nutcracker ballet! To be honest, I wasn’t aware that changes had been made, so it was difficult to let go of my expectations and stop comparing it to past seasons. One thing I missed especially was Mother Ginger, with her traditional huge dress, and I would wish to see that again, if possible. But other than that, the celebration of the local area proved to be delightful! I loved seeing the Depot train with the magician and the addition of the lumberjacks, which were phenomenal! All of the children were so precious to watch, and I love the inclusion of special needs children, which enhanced the whole experience so much! Absolutely precious! Each and every one of the dancers deserve the standing ovation that occurred at the end. Bravo! I am giving this 4 stars, due to the disappointment with Mother Ginger and her gingerbread children scene being so different than expected, and the fact that it was a Christmas miracle that I finally found parking in the ramp at such a full venue! Big smile!