Venue
David H. Koch Theater
Venue
David H. Koch Theater
Venue
David H. Koch Theater
Venue
David H. Koch Theater
Venue
David H. Koch Theater
Venue
David H. Koch Theater
Venue
David H. Koch Theater
Venue
David H. Koch Theater
Venue
Venue
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.
The Rialto was beautifully decorated for the season and so clean with friendly staff. Even for upper level seats it was still a great view. The show itself was fantastic and so full of talent. Highly recommend this theater and the show!
Seeing the ballet at Akron Civic Center allows wonderful front-row experiences for a fraction of what Playhouse Square would cost, and the production is always wonderful. The company and artists are wonderful and my daughter and I have made this a tradition. She loved being able to purchase dead toe shoes, then watch that dancer perform. Love all the lobby decorations and the kind workers at the venue.
The costumes were phenomenal. I like different adaptation of the story. A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon.
If I’ve been to the nutcracker previously it’s been a long time. I was looking different to do with family but wasn’t sure if they would all like this. We all did including my husband. Great Job!
Akron Civic Theatre is beautiful & performance was awesome.
Simply put, we wanted to give kids special treat and bought loge tickets. To our surprise expensive loge seating was actually balcony seating. The performance was great, the seats not so much. Felt like bait and switch, definitely not what was paid for.
I had such a lovely time, by myself. I was suppose to go with a meet-up group that I recently joined and the person running the group basically blew me off after i purchased my ticket to the show. So I had to attend by myself! Regardless.. I had a lovely time and really enjoyed the show. I'm now looking to attend other shows that interest me! Thank you!
The dancers did an amazing job with crazy technical difficulties that were no fault of their own. If you're going to require that those who rent the facility use the CSUN technicians, they better get their act together.
Everything about it was well done. My only wish is that is were combined with TSO for a live orchestra. The show was fantastic.
The area to get drinks is to small for the amount of people that attended,plus priced to expensive after spending 100.00+ for tickets,program started at 2 p.m. but not allowed to enter until 1:30,needs some attention
Dancers were wonderful. Great to see so many happy children.
Really well ran show, excellent way to support the arts, our twin daughters loved the performance and I for one really enjoyed the nostalgia of the Opera House and the staff went above and beyond. A++++
Loved this show. I'm a picky ballet fan, usually go to Orange County for ballet. This casting, even down to the children was national-level ballet. Liked it better than ABT's production. Must see
We attended the Nutcracker with our 7 year old granddaughter. She was so thrilled and enchanted by it. We had a wonderful time.
The tickets were a Christmas gift for my wife(her 3rd time). This was the 1st time that her and I have seen it toghter. I throughly enjoyed it. She told me afterward that she couldn't wait till next year to go again, TOGETHER! I guess this will turn into a tradition from now on.
Enjoyed the show. Been going for a few years and this was the Best one I’ve seen ever.
It was wonderful as usual. I go every year and it never disappoints
Thanks ticketmaster for the easy process of getting tickets for the Nutcracker so flawless. My friends and I had a wonderful time. I plan to use you guys again.
We try to go every year! We really enjoy the beautiful setting in the opera house and the fact there isnt a bad seat. The performance is always wonderful and it brings us so much joy. The little mice were adorable and Maria was enchanting. Thabk you for a night to remember.
The Oakland Ballet’s Nutcracker was beautiful. I had never seen Graham Lustig’s work before. I loved the diversity of the dancers. The young student dancers were quite good (I went because one of my students was performing as Sugar Plum Fairy attendant). I was impressed by the whole production from the sets and staging to the lovely dancers. The ballerina who danced the part of Marie was engaging as were all of the other dancers.