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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.
The Peoria Ballet of the Nutcracker was enchanting. My granddaughters loved the whole experience from purchasing nutcrackers of their very own, to watching the orchestra from the front row, to the marvelous performances of so many talented people. Thank you for a wonderful Christmas memory.
This performance was up there with The Joffrey Ballet!!! I highly recommend this performance a the beautiful Genesee Theater
Some of the best talent the Central Valley has to offer. Take the whole family and start a holiday tradition that young and old alike will love!
Had an amazing time with my mother. Haven't been since I was a little girl. Was very nostalgic and fun time for all!
Beautiful ballet, excellent dancers and sets, beautiful building. I really hope they return next year!!
Amazing show, amazing dancers!!! Bravo Vladimir !!!
Cast did a nice job. Good seats. Reasonably priced. Will come back again.
I bought tickets to take my 8 yr old twin granddaughters who love ballet to their first nutcracker performance! I remembered taking my students to the nutcracker show as a teacher and it was a great performance back in the days! It was so boring that they were falling asleep during the first half. Then the only part they actually liked was the sugar plum dance!! What a waste of money I will never be taking them again!!
The Nutcracker was great family entertainment. Must go see.
By far the BEST I've ever seen. I've seen The Nutcracker in many, many cities. This was AMAZING!
What a magical experience! The amount of beauty and talent was overwhelming. Thank you for creating a memory between my daughter and I that we will never forget.
I was VERY DISAPPOINTED, with the price I paid for our tickets and the ballet turned out to be basically a Dance Recital for a local dance studio....please THE ENTIRE PERFORMANCE WAS A joke! I WISH I COULD GET A REFUND. Never again in DAYTONA WILL I GO TO AN EVENT, I WILL STAY IN ORLANDO IF I WANT TO SEE A REAL PERFORMANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Loved loved loved it! The dancers were beautiful as well as the costumes and set. Technique was amazing and each person played their character wonderfully!
Wonderful production. The McMorran Place is a great venue whether it’s for the theater, the arena, or the banquet room. Concessions are reasonably priced.
This show is a must see. It was so beautiful and serene. Wonderful cast and exceptional talent.
Every year I buy tickets for myself and my parents. They are in their 80's and don't need anything but love classical music and ballet. We started going to this about 8 years ago and every year I get a nutcracker for my collection. We love watching the kids getting bigger and better every year. It's a wonderful tradition and my parents love it. This year we watched the prima ballerina get additional recognition and it was truly touching. She is amazing and seems to float across the floor. The children in the audience are fun to watch too as they twirl during intermission. I highly recommend this to everyone. The place is beautiful, the music wonderful and the dancing both awe-inspiring and amusing.
Amazing talents, ballet, costumes and orchestra, exceeded our expectations!
The venue was great. You feel like you step into the 20's in the theatre. The artwork is amazing. We couldn't take enough photos. The Nutcracker is an old time classic. My family had a great time. We will return. Money well spent.
The Nutcracker this year was amazing! The best yet! I have been to many and this was indeed the best. I would recommend it to everyone!
The tea preceding the Ballet was outstanding. Wish we had not given the girls a little lunch prior as they had so much food for the children. The girls loved having their picture taken with the cast. The ballet was also excellent. Great for all ages.