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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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  • The Nutcracker

    by Kitten minue on 12/8/22Shea's Performing Arts Center - BuffaloRating: 5 out of 5

    Seats were great ( upper balcony sections 4) performance was amazing.

  • Fantastic

    by Sara on 12/7/22Shea's Performing Arts Center - BuffaloRating: 5 out of 5

    Wonderful and nostalgic show year after year. Always look forward to it and this did not disappoint

  • I’m a Nutcracker addict

    by Bevo on 12/7/22Shea's Performing Arts Center - BuffaloRating: 5 out of 5

    Love it love it. Been going for 30+ years & wouldn’t miss it. Christmas wouldn’t be the same without seeing it🎄🎁🩰

  • Nice show

    by Garden on 12/7/22Shea's Performing Arts Center - BuffaloRating: 4 out of 5

    It would be nice to be able to get a paper ticket. The show didn't seem as elaborate at the show we saw 2-3 years ago, as far as the sets go. I seem to remember a sleigh ride and other back drops. The dancing was all wonderful and we enjoyed the show

  • Outstanding

    by Bobo on 12/7/22Shea's Performing Arts Center - BuffaloRating: 5 out of 5

    The performance was wonderful. The dancers put an all out effort at the 1o’clock show. I hadn’t seen The Nutcracker in at least 20 years and was asking myself why I waited so long. I am already looking to gather a group for next year’s outing.

  • Great seats, wonderful show! Shae’s is so beautiful!

    by Meg on 12/7/22Shea's Performing Arts Center - BuffaloRating: 5 out of 5

    I highly recommend! I took my mom and my daughter. We had a lovely girls day! ❤️

  • Always a pleasure!!

    by Zarina Avakian Craig on 12/7/22Shea's Performing Arts Center - BuffaloRating: 5 out of 5

    Shea’s Theatre is our Happy Place. Our Tradition for years has been attending the Nutcracker to start our festive season. Feeling blessed to be able to attend after 2yrs absence. Bravo 👏

  • Spectacular!

    by Denise on 12/7/22The Stanley - UticaRating: 5 out of 5

    The Nutcracker was spectacular! The dancers were wonderful and the costumes were amazing.

  • Amazing

    by Stacie on 12/7/22The Stanley - UticaRating: 5 out of 5

    Brought daughters and granddaughter to show for first time. The show was absolutley amazing.

  • Wichita Falls Nutcracker

    by Damon T on 12/6/22Memorial Auditorium - Wichita FallsRating: 5 out of 5

    We absolutely loved the performance. We brought our seven-year old granddaughter and her review: magnificent! The dancers were amazing.

  • Fantastic and worth every minute

    by Robin on 12/6/22Shea's Performing Arts Center - BuffaloRating: 5 out of 5

    The Nutcracker performed on Saturday, Dec 3rd in Buffalo, NY was an experience that left me almost speechless. What a show! Not one word spoken and yet so much emotion imparted. It was nearly a flawless performance on all counts, including the music.

  • Feedback

    by Sadler Fan on 12/6/22Memorial Auditorium - Wichita FallsRating: 5 out of 5

    Abby Sadler performed as the Sugarplum Fairy on Saturday night. She and the others danced wonderfully. We really enjoyed the entire presentation. We are looking forward to the next offering.

  • Orchestra was amazing Dancers were fantastic!

    by Betty on 12/6/22Shea's Performing Arts Center - BuffaloRating: 4 out of 5

    Seats are very uncomfortable. For even a short person like me my knees were right up against the seats in front of us. I’m glad I’m not a big person, there’s no way I could sit into the seats if I were. I get it, it’s an old theater but…..

  • Festive

    by C. M. on 12/6/22Shea's Performing Arts Center - BuffaloRating: 4 out of 5

    Easy ticket sale. Great seats, great view. Place was very festive and clean. My family and I had a wonderful time at the event.

  • Truly Spectacular!

    by Joyce on 12/6/22Shea's Performing Arts Center - BuffaloRating: 5 out of 5

    First: just entering the venue was quick and easy. Shea's has really streamlined that process! The staff were as kind and helpful as usual, too. The play itself was so, SO good! The dancing was exceptional, but it was the emotion everyone put into it that made it so good. I will admit to being glad I knew the story beforehand because there were times the set pieces were not very clear. But the dancing made up for that! The Neglia Conservatory put on a show I won't be forgetting any time soon. HIGHLY recommend!

  • Fantastic!

    by Larry on 12/6/22Shea's Performing Arts Center - BuffaloRating: 5 out of 5

    Great show! Highly recommend! The story was carried out well, very entertaining.

  • Meh

    by Gof on 12/6/22UTEP Magoffin Auditorium - El PasoRating: 3 out of 5

    music was obviously recorded, sounded too harsh, didnt flow nicely. too crowded. its cheapened the crowd up. sell of popcorn and snacks was cheap... not elegant or classic as i remember the nutcracker being.

  • Incredible Performance & Rude Audience

    by Alexis on 12/6/22Shea's Performing Arts Center - BuffaloRating: 5 out of 5

    The dancers and musicians were wonderful. My fiance and I enjoyed every moment of their performance. It was the first time either of us saw the Nutcracker and we'll definitely be back to see it again in the future. The audience, however, severely lacked manners and proper etiquette. We see a lot of live entertainment (shows at Sheas, BPO, and Chautauqua) and this seemed to be the worst crowd yet. There were couples carrying on full conversations during the performance, kids misbehaving, and people walking in and out of the theater repeatedly. The only recommendation for the venue is not allowing people to buy snacks with loud rustling wrappers to bring to their seats. The noise was highly disturbing to those around the snackers..

  • Great show!

    by Tony on 12/5/22Memorial Auditorium - Wichita FallsRating: 5 out of 5

    I really enjoyed the show! The Nutcracker classic Christmas Ballet

  • Disappointed

    by Ari on 12/5/22The Stanley - UticaRating: 2 out of 5

    Costumes and set were nice. Overall, probably the worst Nutcracker show I’ve seen. The technique was poor-dancers couldn’t complete simple leg holds or line up in straight lines. In addition, the crowd was rowdy-hollering after every scene. If you want a nice rendition, make the drive to Buffalo-same cost, more professional, with a live orchestra.