Christmas tradition
by A. G. on 12/17/19Lexington Opera House - LexingtonRating: 5 out of 5Very enjoyable performance in a beautiful historic building
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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.
A wonder Christmas experience
by Kati on 12/17/19The Maryland Theatre - HagerstownRating: 5 out of 5This show kept my whole family entertained for the entire show. I have two boys - age 9 and 7 -and they loved it. Everything was great - the music, the dancing, the acting, and the scenery.
It was great
by Steph on 12/17/19Fox Performing Arts Center - RiversideRating: 3 out of 5The performance was wonderful... Service at the bar and the boutique was very friendly. I only had one issue.. My seats were in the Mezzanine. I asked one of the ushers for a program and she told me I had to go downstairs to get one. It would have been appropriate for all ushers to have programs to pass out or actually go downstairs to get one to accommodate me.
Nutcracker 2019
by KB142 on 12/17/19Tivoli Theatre - ChattanoogaRating: 5 out of 5This was a great production! We loved it! The music was fantastic!
Food/Drink Venue
by TM on 12/17/19New Jersey Performing Arts Center - NewarkRating: 1 out of 5Did you know they sell wine with a lid for $18 & cracker jaxs for $10? They do & they don’t tell you that you are Not Allowed to take the food or beverage inside the show! Truth! Then they yell at you inside that it needs to be removed. It’s part of being an Usher & their job! Not their fault but it is the fault of the Venue. BUYER BEWARE
Wonderful play
by HB on 12/17/19Fox Performing Arts Center - RiversideRating: 5 out of 5My husband and me really enjoyed this festive high professional performance.
Me and my family had a good time at the performance.
by Noel on 12/17/19New Jersey Performing Arts Center - NewarkRating: 4 out of 5Performance, customs, set, music was excellent and will definitely come back next year with my family, if the performance is available.
Wonderful
by RL on 12/17/19Tilles Center Concert Hall - BrookvilleRating: 4 out of 5Great show, nice atmosphere, family friendly, the cast did a wonderful job. Awesome!
Alwayz in Awe
by KevinH on 12/17/19Royce Hall - UCLA - Los AngelesRating: 5 out of 5The Los Angeles Ballet is never disappointing when presenting the Nutcracker at Royce Hall on the beautiful UCLA Campus. The Royce Hall staff is always courteous and the seats were fantastic. The ballet performed effortlessly throughout the show and my daughter and I enjoy the Nutcracker presentation every year at Royce Hall. Thank You Los Angeles Ballet Company and Ticketmaster!
Pretty Well Done, A Bit Expensive
by John on 12/17/19Michigan Theater - Ann ArborRating: 3 out of 5We knew that this performance was kid-friendly and may have even had some children in the show. We weren't expecting this to be a school performance. Although the professional dancers were great and this show did put us in the holiday spirit, we didn't feel as if the $45 per ticket price tag was very justified. Perhaps $25 would have been more accurate. Overall, a decent show, just not at the level we were expecting/hoping. Perhaps we should have done more research, but given the price tag, we thought it would be a tier above. Still, for what the show was, they definitely put in a lot of work, and it was pretty well done. 4/5 for the show 1/5 for the price of the show
Nutcracker
by k. b. on 12/17/19Tivoli Theatre - ChattanoogaRating: 5 out of 5It was a great show. My daughter & I loved it! Our very first ballet.
Wionderful performance
by Elliott on 12/17/19Tilles Center Concert Hall - BrookvilleRating: 5 out of 5The music was brilliantly performed and the dancing was completely charming from the littlest child to the principal performers.
Delightful
by APK on 12/17/19Michigan Theater - Ann ArborRating: 4 out of 5Excellent production--beautiful costumes and backdrops. Lovely dancing, adorable little ones. Probably a new holiday tradition for me.
Reminded me of a dance recital
by Saric on 12/17/19William Saroyan Theatre Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center - FresnoRating: 2 out of 5Not what I expected at all and definitely not worth $45 a ticket! It was so bad that the whole front row in front of us left at the intermission. Felt like a kids recital. Yes, there were some good parts and if the tickets weren’t so expensive I don’t think I’d be so disappointed but expected way more than what was given. Very disappointing!
Pleasant surprise
by T. on 12/17/19Michigan Theater - Ann ArborRating: 4 out of 5I was expecting a "professional" dance troupe consisting of adults, but this show was mainly children and teens. That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed the show, and thought the performance was worth the trip.
Amazing as always
by Edvm on 12/17/19Lexington Opera House - LexingtonRating: 5 out of 5KBTs performance of the nutcracker was magical as always! Beautiful dancing, costuming, and stage effects. This is a yearly tradition we never miss! It’s not Christmas without the Nutcracker and KBT does it best!
Incredible!!!
by Glenn on 12/17/19The Maryland Theatre - HagerstownRating: 5 out of 5One of the best shows of any type I have ever attended!!! The scenery was amazing, the dancers (all) were fantastic, and I'm already planning to attend next year again!!!
Beautiful performance
by Ed on 12/17/19New Jersey Performing Arts Center - NewarkRating: 5 out of 5The performers put on a wonderful show and the costumes were great. The music, though canned, came through perfectly through their sound system.
Excellent
by Katya on 12/17/19New Jersey Performing Arts Center - NewarkRating: 5 out of 5Loved the ballet, was a wonderful production. Had an amazing time with my family. Also, the theater exceeded my expectations, It was lovely.
Beautifully done.
by S. R. on 12/17/19McAlister Auditorium - GreenvilleRating: 5 out of 5I brought my eight year old granddaughter,it was our first ballet. To see the look on her face was a joy, she was enthralled. The performance, set, and costumes were lovely.