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Dance

The Nutcracker Tickets

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Rating: 4.3 out of 5 based on 4209 reviews

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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.

Reviews

Rating: 4.3 out of 5 based on 4209 reviews
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  • Wonderful

    by Rachel D on 12/13/23William Saroyan Theatre Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center - FresnoRating: 5 out of 5

    Amazing performance! I also love seeing all the local youth that are able to get involved and perform!

  • Seen Nutcracker for years

    by Ron on 12/13/23The Orpheum Theatre Memphis - MemphisRating: 5 out of 5

    Set, costumes and dancers were best I have ever seen. Really an enjoyable evening. My grandkids were in enthralled in the show especially Mother Ginger!

  • loved every minute of it!

    by alb on 12/13/23William Saroyan Theatre Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center - FresnoRating: 5 out of 5

    loved it as always! Eighth time to see it and took our best friend this time

  • Amazing

    by Adelaide on 12/13/23The Orpheum Theatre Memphis - MemphisRating: 5 out of 5

    It was a great show! We had amazing seats and I think the story was conveyed very well!!

  • Nutcracker

    by Frey on 12/13/23The Orpheum Theatre Memphis - MemphisRating: 5 out of 5

    The show was great. The location is excellent. Staff were courteous. Watched the show for two consecutive days. Ballet Memphis was really excellent as always.

  • Show was good, audience needs improvement

    by JH1971 on 12/13/23Stephens Auditorium - AmesRating: 3 out of 5

    We had tickets in one of the loges. This where we always watch the Nutcracker from, we have since our daughter performed as a child. This year, however, we were joined by some members of society who had apparently not ever attended an event where it is expected behavior to keep your lips shut for the duration, and it was evident that their parents were also uninformed as they did not advise these young people that their conduct was unacceptable. Social cues from at least three adults (not their parents) went unnoticed and the kicking of seats and talking throughout the performance continued for the entire first act. Near the end of intermission when they returned to take their seats, one of the parents did have the offensive children sit in the back row telling us that they “may have been disruptive”. While we were finally able to enjoy the show, as we should be, we only got to enjoy the second half thanks to these heathens. Why spend the money and take the time to go to events if you have such ill-mannered children? Who enjoys this?? No other child in that section was unruly in the least (and no, our children are grown - I am not bragging about my own children). The ushers need to step up their game and pop in to check on things, they used to. Stars were not deducted for performance-related issues, completely related to the issues with other people’s children.

  • A Holiday Tradition

    by Andy G on 12/13/23Montgomery Performing Arts Centre - MontgomeryRating: 5 out of 5

    Wonderful performance by a talented team! We always love this performance and will continue supporting it every year!

  • Outstanding!

    by Nita on 12/13/23The Maryland Theatre - HagerstownRating: 5 out of 5

    Very well put together. All of the dancers were great, especially the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Dew Drop Fairy.

  • Not what we expected

    by Starla on 12/13/23Montgomery Performing Arts Centre - MontgomeryRating: 2 out of 5

    Our group of four left at the first intermission because we were not enjoying the show. It was cute, but I expected a much bigger production. I really feel like I overpaid for the tickets.

  • Good show but a little disappointed

    by JT on 12/13/23DECC Symphony Hall - DuluthRating: 4 out of 5

    The show was good, however I was expecting The Nutcracker. This show was in fact the nutcracker, but it was a Duluth Tale. I was not expecting that. I was expecting to see the Mouse King and that did not happen. The first act was hard to follow, but the second act was funny and more in the Christmas theme.

  • Stunning Rendition of a Classic Ballet

    by ME Washburn on 12/13/23The Orpheum Theatre Memphis - MemphisRating: 5 out of 5

    I adore the Nutcracker and have attended countless performances over the years. I was excited but nervous when I heard Ballet Memphis was changing its traditional version, but it made sense, and it was time. I loved the final product they created. The intense amount of work on sets, choreography, and costumes was evident. I appreciated moving past the country caricatures in the Land of the Sweets dances, I know they are traditional, but they can be offensive and Ballet Memphis proved you can do so much more with the beautiful music of the Nutcracker. Thank you for all of your hard work and your gift to Memphis!

  • Nice for the families or relatives of the dancers/actors

    by Joe on 12/13/23Rose & Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center - Ft LauderdaleRating: 3 out of 5

    Definitely a good performance overall but not a show you can promote for a wider audience aside from the families and relatives of the dancers or actors of this school. I saw some people leaving the theater after realizing this was more a family event than a public one.

  • It was great!

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

    Everything went very smooth with our tickets. We had great seats for the show. I would definitely recommend the nutcracker to anyone who has not seen it.

  • Not worth to go

    by Theresa on 12/12/23William Saroyan Theatre Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center - FresnoRating: 1 out of 5

    It was a nightmare. No a live symphony orchestra. The male lead dancer is unable to lift the female lead. We got center Seats, very disappointed, not coming back again

  • Everyone did a mighty fine job.

    by Very nice! on 12/12/23The Maryland Theatre - HagerstownRating: 5 out of 5

    No problems and the show was right on! Nice venue to see a show.

  • Beautiful ballet

    by Catherine on 12/12/23DECC Symphony Hall - DuluthRating: 4 out of 5

    I was so impressed with the staff at the DECC. They were so kind and attentive, helpful with the tickets in Ticketmaster. The Nutcracker Ballet was done so beautifully. This will be a wonderful memory for ever. Thank you.

  • Loves it.

    by Marie on 12/12/23Lake Charles Civic Ctr Rosa Hart Theatre - Lake CharlesRating: 4 out of 5

    Beautiful colors. Love the outfits. Kids were awesome and talented.

  • Amazing performances

    by Amazing show on 12/12/23The Orpheum Theatre Memphis - MemphisRating: 5 out of 5

    Loved every aspect of the show. The dancers were amazing. The cast was so full of happy vibrant dancers. The music was great. Loved it.

  • Wonderful job

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

    The Nutcracker was wonderful. The Memphis Ballet and orchestra did a phenomenal performance. The dancers were amazing and the music was perfect.

  • Best show

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

    Took my grandchildren and they loved it!! Once in a lifetime experience. We made a lot of wonderful memories