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H-E-B Performance Hall
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Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre
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Orpheum Theatre - Phoenix
Lineup
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Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House
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War Memorial Opera House
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David H. Koch Theater
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Carpenter Theatre at Dominion Energy Center
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Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre
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Brown Theatre-Wortham Center
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Weinberg Center For The Arts
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The Englert Theatre
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Orpheum Theatre - Phoenix
Lineup
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Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House
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.
What a lovely, well done performance of the classic Nutcracker ballet! Sound and lighting also did well! I was disappointed to see where our seats ‘actually’ were (tippy top, last row, behind every tall person in MD!) Nonetheless, we were delighted to be there!
This show is amazing! From beginning to end you are blown away at how amazing the dancers are and the orchestra was superb!
The Montgomery Ballet is an extraordinary regional ballet company. Under the direction of Danny Mitsios, they seem to sprinkle sugar plum fairy dust on everything they do, bringing uplifting dance to ever more cities in Alabama. You will love their show, and you'll be happy to have supported local professional artists engaged in the important work of creating and cultivating a more elevated culture.
It was an excellent performance by the key dancers all the way to the little ones that participated! All done to the fantastic music of Tchaikovsky. A great way to experience the Christmas season. The Montgomery region is especially gifted with so many talented people. Thank you for the wonderful experience! It needs to be an annual event for all who love talent!
This year the Nutcracker was outstanding. The dancing was incredible. Especially Clara and The Sugar Plum Fairy and her Prince. The backdrops were expanded from last year and much more gorgeous. The Memphis Orchestra was beautiful as usual. Throughly enjoyed! Never miss.
Outstanding show beautiful dancing definitely will go again
We took our 10 year old daughter to see The Nutcracker and she loved it. I will have to say that not being a fan of the ballet in general, the performance was entertaining for me and not too long and dragged out. Throw in a bonus that beer was sold during the intermission. Having PTSD from being dragged to the The Nutcracker multiple times as a child this version was a much more entertaining one.
This is a tradition to go see the nutcracker. Guess artists were amazing. Overall show was very nice and well Put together
We were amazed by how beautiful and professional they were. The dancing was so perfect and the whole theatre was beautiful, we enjoyed ourselves.
Really Nice Show Recommend it Family Event to Enjoy hear the Live Orchestra Playing
Wonderful talent and set design and, of course, the music. The different interpretation fits very well.
Professionally put on and the costumes were great.if you haven't seen it you are truly missing a great show.
I took my daughter to see this and it was a wonderful show. The dancers were very talented and the stage design was absolutely beautiful!
The dancers are so talented, and put on a good show! However, the new version they perform is not as good. In this version, the first act takes place at a Christmas market, instead of Christmas party. It’s not Clara’s Grandfather that brings the nutcracker, but her uncle. It’s hard to follow as there is a lot going on on-stage. The original version is much better. Also, anyone is allowed to purchase a ticket for anyone of any age. Somehow people think this is a kid’s performance and event? If you want to go and enjoy the ballet, think again. There’s small children everywhere. They kick your seat, and talk, and whine, and crinkle their snacks and generally disturb, and there’s no escaping them. And no usher is going to come up and ask them to stop, and their parents sure as hell won’t stop them. It’s also a packed performance, so there’s no moving seats. Unfortunately, this was the case the last few years I have gone, and between the changing of the show and the kids, it’s just not an enjoyable experience anymore. If you can tune all of that out though, they really do a great job.
This is a tradition and we go every year and it’s all so enjoyable!
Took my adult children, their partners and my grand daughter to see the Nutcracker for the very first time. We all absolutely loved it! Stunning performance!
I took my two granddaughters, and my daughter-in-law, to see the Nutcracker as part of their Christmas gift. They all loved it, as did I. The dancers were so graceful, animated, and enchanting! The costumes were beautiful! I really enjoyed seeing the looks of wonder on my granddaughter's faces. We made more precious memories spent together watching this ballet. A new experience for them that I'm sure they'll remember for years to come.
My children enjoy it !! I will turn it into a family tradition
Magical performance by Connecticut Ballet! Thank you for putting on this show for 40 years and hopefully for many many more! It was truly beautiful.. highly recommend.
My Hat goes out to the Maestro and the orchestra. The cast was outstanding along with fantastic precision. Bravo