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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: 4.3 out of 5 based on 4209 reviews
  • Ukraine Nutcracker

    by SkyKing on 12/2/23Music Hall Center - DetroitRating: 5 out of 5

    Loved the performance. Too bad they were only here for one day. Only would've been better with a real orchestra.

  • My annual favorite

    by Pat on 11/30/23Township Auditorium - ColumbiaRating: 4 out of 5

    Love the Nutcracker! Brodie’s dance company gets it right every time; however, this year I felt the first act dancers (or could’ve been the choreography) weren’t of the usual high caliber as previous years. The second act performances were awesome though and the adagio performances were world class! The orchestra was anazing as always!

  • Definitely disappointed

    by Lenny on 11/29/23Savannah Civic Center - Johnny Mercer Theatre - SavannahRating: 1 out of 5

    Was totally shocked that there was no dress code for this beautiful ballet. People arrived in sneakers & jeans like they were going to a bbq. Then to top it off it was 40 degrees inside. It was so cold I wanted to leave and saw a few families leaving with their children because of the temperature. We got lost in the message of the ballet. Definitely didn’t understand what aaa gong on

  • Stunning!

    by MothGold on 11/29/23Savannah Civic Center - Johnny Mercer Theatre - SavannahRating: 5 out of 5

    This was beyond my expectations My daughter n I LOVED it It was so magical We are coming back next year A memory I’ll never forget Amazing job from music to dancers, stage, lights, timing. It’s just wonderful

  • Beautiful show

    by Allison on 11/29/23Savannah Civic Center - Johnny Mercer Theatre - SavannahRating: 5 out of 5

    My daughter and her friends loved The Nutcracker! We will return every year!

  • Dazzling!

    by Nanadances1 on 11/29/23Savannah Civic Center - Johnny Mercer Theatre - SavannahRating: 4 out of 5

    Absolutely delightful set, costumes, choreography. The Snow Queen pas de deux was my favorite. Clara danced brilliantly and was always alert and en pointe. All the children in the cast did beautifully. Sugar Plum Fairy pas de deux was disappointing. Lack of energy and punch. What should have been the climax left me wondering what happened. It felt like they were going through the motions. Otherwise I adored all the dancers who gave 150%!

  • Nutcracker 2023

    by Savannah Charmer on 11/28/23Savannah Civic Center - Johnny Mercer Theatre - SavannahRating: 1 out of 5

    This one was not moving and breathtaking as in the past;It just fell flat.

  • I was disappointed

    by BMcLemore on 11/28/23Savannah Civic Center - Johnny Mercer Theatre - SavannahRating: 1 out of 5

    The stage and costumes were beautiful but the dancing wasn't what I expected. There wasn't a live orchestra and the atmosphere very off. I was disappointed.

  • Beautiful

    by Doris D on 11/28/23Savannah Civic Center - Johnny Mercer Theatre - SavannahRating: 5 out of 5

    This is our yearly Christmas tradition and they did not disappoint, it was beautiful. Civic center was great like always, organized and workers were very helpful. ❤️

  • Fabulous

    by AJ on 11/28/23Savannah Civic Center - Johnny Mercer Theatre - SavannahRating: 5 out of 5

    The Nutcracker was so colorful and beautiful. All the dancers were magnificent. Also the music was outstanding.

  • Cute show

    by Savannah mom on 11/28/23Savannah Civic Center - Johnny Mercer Theatre - SavannahRating: 2 out of 5

    It was a cute show. Started 15min late. Beautiful ending. Definitely worth the $35 tickets.

  • Venue is terrible. Performance was great

    by La t da on 11/28/23Savannah Civic Center - Johnny Mercer Theatre - SavannahRating: 2 out of 5

    First of all the sound was terrible in the venue as per usual. The sound was only coming from the stage and for all of us in the very back center orchestra could hear everybody opening up their concessions snacks. Which is very distracting when you’re trying to watch a ballet. After the performance started, one of the ushers was carrying on a conversation with two patron, sitting directly behind us, and instead of taking it into the hallway outside they continued to carry on their conversation until I asked them politely to take it somewhere else. The line for the concessions was so long that it was impeding traffic to get into the theater. And, lastly, during intermission of a ballet, they should flutter the lights to remind you of how much time you have left until the second act begins.

  • Good show, expected better

    by Ballet Virgin on 11/28/23Savannah Civic Center - Johnny Mercer Theatre - SavannahRating: 3 out of 5

    The show was good, but I was expecting better quality from the dancers themselves in terms of synchronization and precision. Venue had great seating but the concessions are a disaster. No one that works there seems to have any sense of urgency at concession stand

  • I wish there was a real orchestra instead of recording

    by Rose on 11/27/23Harris Theater - ChicagoRating: 3 out of 5

    The dancers were pretty good overall. Some of them are truly exceptional. However, the music recording really was a big deduction to the performance. The speakers were too loud which made the performance less enjoyable. Besides, it kind of rushed the whole performance, instead of letting the audience to show their appreciation to each piece of dances. It was rude to the performers as well. It felt more like a dressing rehearsal instead of real show.

  • A beautiful performance

    by Krystal on 1/4/23The Stanley - UticaRating: 5 out of 5

    The performance was lovely, the choreography was beautiful and the way they made it snow on the stage really gave me a peaceful vibe.

  • I almost totally loved it.

    by HarleyQ on 1/2/23Rating: 4 out of 5

    The ballet itself was amazing, as usual. But the kids were distracting. There were several that couldn't engender the routine and would mess up and it took away from the ballet that i paid alot of money for my family to go to.

  • Loved it.

    by GR on 12/31/22Heymann Performing Arts Center - LafayetteRating: 3 out of 5

    Very cute kids in local recital. I thought it was supposed to be a traveling ballet company sponsored by the local arts foundation. Next year, just know that it is 90% local kids. Don't go expecting to see a professionally produced and technically gifted performance as you would with a company. The Kiev City ballet was here this year. They were amazing. I'll look closer at the descriptions in the future.

  • beautiful

    by Lin on 12/25/22Genesee Theatre - WaukeganRating: 5 out of 5

    what a beautiful theater! we were early so one of the ladies took our picture with the beautiful trees. then we visited the lounge and got snacks and drinks. we settled into our seats for a magical program. the scenery and costumes were amazing as well as the talent. the only downfall was kids eating candy during the production and making noise trying to dig their Skittles out of the bag lol. will come again.

  • Exceptional

    by J. A. on 12/25/22Genesee Theatre - WaukeganRating: 5 out of 5

    The performance was beautiful and exceeded expectations.

  • We were very impressed.

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

    We have been going to theatrical performances for 40 plus years. We have had the opportunity to live all over the world. Our experience at the Genesee Theatre was awesome. The performers were so professional and so engaging with the audience. The back drop was so beautifully painted. It was all so magical. Thanks to everyone on stage and everyone behind the scenes. Believe me you are up there with New York City Theaters, London Theaters, Minneapolis Theaters, Brazil's theaters, etc.etc. And I am not bragging about our good fortune to experience theater all over. We walked out in awe.