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Dance

The Nutcracker Tickets

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About

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
  • Loud

    by Disappointed on 12/19/23The Magnolia - El CajonRating: 3 out of 5

    Are all performers local. I bet 75 percent were parents. They were yelling and screaming when their kid came on. I know they are proud but they aren’t at a baseball game

  • Ballet Memphis' Nutcracker was wonderful!

    by Colette on 12/19/23The Orpheum Theatre Memphis - MemphisRating: 5 out of 5

    We really enjoyed the show. The choreography was very good, and the dancers were excellent. In the future, I will try not to buy tickets for seats in the upper balcony of the Orpheum. The seats were less than comfortable. It felt like the seats were sized for either midgets or 10-year-old children. Aside from that, my husband and I still enjoyed the show.

  • Loved it!

    by Mimi on 12/19/23The Orpheum Theatre Memphis - MemphisRating: 5 out of 5

    Ballet Memphis had all new backdrops and costumes this year. Wonderful! I thought it was a lot more fun and entertaining.

  • Holiday moment

    by Anniversary girl on 12/19/23The Orpheum Theatre Memphis - MemphisRating: 5 out of 5

    A wonderful way to experience the ballet during the holiday season.

  • Love it!

    by Lilian on 12/19/23The Orpheum Theatre Memphis - MemphisRating: 5 out of 5

    My niece (9 years old) an my daughter (7) really loves the performance

  • Spectacular Rendition Tradition plus Zing

    by Ballet Mom on 12/19/23The Orpheum Theatre Memphis - MemphisRating: 5 out of 5

    I have attended more performances of The Nutcracker than the average person, having two daughters who danced, one professionally. I have seen many renditions in Memphis, plus North Carolina School of Ballet, NYC Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and Louisville Ballet interpretations, going all the way back to 1977, and in my opinion this is one of the best ever! It's fresh and exciting, but retains tradition along with the excitement. Kudos to the Choreographer, and the brilliant costumer and set designer. I loved every minute of it, and us oldsters don't usually tolerate change well! I can't wait for next year's production!

  • A classic reimagined

    by LS3016 on 12/19/23The Orpheum Theatre Memphis - MemphisRating: 5 out of 5

    I’ve been taking my daughter for the last 7 years. This year, while the storyline didn’t change, the setting was updated, which held her interest. The costumes and scenery were beyond gorgeous, and the dancers performed the classic dances in new and unexpected ways. We enjoyed every minute and would have gone again same day in a heartbeat.

  • Beautiful Performance

    by DLo on 12/18/23Grand Sierra Resort and Casino - RenoRating: 5 out of 5

    The Nutcracker performed by Reno Dance Company was lovely! I was truly enchanted and awed well beyond my expectations. The set designs - especially the opening scene in the home - was remarkable. The performances by our local dances were incredible! I was blown away. I've been the Nutcracker in SF and this was truly beautiful to watch. I also brought my 2.5 year old daughter. She loved the performance as well. It was nice that the crowd was also free to cheer for the dancers and make positive applause, etc. during the performances. This really helped my little one focus. I look forward to attending for many years to come. This was truly a highlight for me this season.

  • Amazing, loved it

    by Codeman on 12/18/23Stephens Auditorium - AmesRating: 5 out of 5

    I loved the nutcracker. I always take my mom and some of my friends and family to see the nutcracker. We always enjoy it. I know my mom and I have seen the nutcracker 4 times since 2019.

  • GSR Nutcracker

    by Mark on 12/17/23Grand Sierra Resort and Casino - RenoRating: 5 out of 5

    Amazing!! Spectacular!! Brilliant!! The performers were Extraordinary!!! The stage dressing was Mesmerizing!!

  • Wonderful holiday presentation

    by TMama on 12/16/23Grand Sierra Resort and Casino - RenoRating: 5 out of 5

    The GSR Nutcracker was enjoyed by my family from 9 to 70 years of age.Thank you for a beautiful holiday presentation. The music, costumes and dancers were beautiful.

  • Absolutely amazing

    by T Duncan on 12/16/23Grand Sierra Resort and Casino - RenoRating: 5 out of 5

    Gorgeous performance. Will be back next year. The ballerinas took time to even talk to everyone after the show. Magical.

  • Impressive Nutcracker

    by Patty G on 12/16/23Grand Sierra Resort and Casino - RenoRating: 5 out of 5

    The Reno Dance Company "Nutcracker"was just delightful. The costumes, sets, choreography and dancers blended to present a polished performance with skill and smiles. Bravo!

  • Great show

    by Diane on 12/16/23Grand Sierra Resort and Casino - RenoRating: 5 out of 5

    This was a awesome well managed choreographed show. I'm definitely telling my family and friends. I can't believe how well the set design was done. I can't say enough about how how hard EVERYONE worked on this show!

  • Performance was wonderful however

    by Tlh on 12/15/23Kodak Center - RochesterRating: 4 out of 5

    Some of the screens did not work. They would start to come down then stop. The dancers were out of this world and the sets that worked were very very nice

  • Best ballet I have ever been to!

    by Gizzie on 12/15/23Kodak Center - RochesterRating: 5 out of 5

    This was great!! I have been to different shows with different ballet companies in Boston and NYC. By far the best! The plot was easy to follow.. the costumes .. everything was perfect!

  • Ballet

    by Former ballerina on 12/14/23Montgomery Performing Arts Centre - MontgomeryRating: 4 out of 5

    The ballet was fabulous and the venue was nice and comfortable. We were almost late due to the extremely slow line getting into parking garage since the outdoor parking lot machine was only taking cash.

  • Amazing performance

    by Hunter on 12/14/23DECC Symphony Hall - DuluthRating: 5 out of 5

    Roommate asked me to go with on Friday night, hadn’t seen a ballet since elementary school, wasn’t sure how I’d like it. I thoroughly enjoyed the show far more than I ever expected; I enjoyed it so much I bought a ticket for Saturday night and went again. Beautiful performance both nights, the dancers did an excellent job. I will definitely be attending future events

  • Performance was great! But started late

    by GH on 12/14/23The Orpheum Theatre Memphis - MemphisRating: 4 out of 5

    The show itself was awesome! Though I was prepared for the slightly different version and had told my kids the original story, so they were a bit confused. My only two criticisms is that if you’re gonna put out a new rendition of a famous show, you need to provide programs. They didn’t hand out programs and I had to ask for one at the intermission. It would have been really helpful to have had it at the beginning. That was pretty frustrating. They said they didn’t have enough for everyone?! What! And it started late.

  • Tradition

    by Nana Bear on 12/14/23William Saroyan Theatre Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center - FresnoRating: 5 out of 5

    I’ve been attending the Nutcracker with my grandchildren for about the last seven years. Every year I ask them if they want to go, they still do and they still enjoy it. It has become a family tradition. .