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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.
First of all just want to say i did enjoy the show but my wife wanted to see the nutcracker all her life so i finally got us tickets when we showed up they informed us that they were doing there own version of the nutcracker which upset me a little bit but all and all good show just not the nutcracker
First time viewer for me!! Loved it all! the kids were great and just a really great ballet
This event started 40 minutes late with no updates to audience, encountered technical difficulties about 30 minutes in, and resumed from the beginning after the 15 minute delay. We left at that point. Very frustrating evening. We’d rate ZERO stars if that were an option.
Show was good but there were little kids next to us and they should have never been allowed, they were in and out of their seat and talked during the whole first half. The dancers were out of sync and almost fell several times, maybe a bad night for them.
The whole experience was awesome! Easy to get to the DPac everyone was so helpful and nice. Had a great time
Absolutely beautiful! The ballerinas were in perfect form absolutely perfection! I’m looking forward to see the Nutcracker Ballet next year!
Started late by 20 minutes. Performers did a good job. Not interested in ever going again
Great performances! We were a little confused by the Duluth references but after we googled the storyline to refresh our memories it made sense. I think the younger children would have liked more color in the costumes. The dancers were great! The total lack of dialogue was hard for most of the adults in my group and the kids didn't get it at all.. Overall I'd go see again.
Excellent. Beautiful costumes, very professional. What a wonderful way to kick off the holidays with family and friends.
I see The Nutcracker at the same venue every year. It is always professionally done and amazing. This year, unbeknownst to me, it was a semi amateur production with a few professionals dispersed throughout. That was definitely not what I expected or wanted to see. Next year, I will look for a different production done elsewhere.
The performance was outstanding- creative, inclusive and awesome. However I paid $675.00 for 4 tickets from a re-sell site. I will never buy tickets on line again. This site took advantage of my inexperience.
Very Disappointed it was a local amateur production. Not what I was expecting.
What a joy to experience the magic of Christmas with the annual Nutcracker ballet! To be honest, I wasn’t aware that changes had been made, so it was difficult to let go of my expectations and stop comparing it to past seasons. One thing I missed especially was Mother Ginger, with her traditional huge dress, and I would wish to see that again, if possible. But other than that, the celebration of the local area proved to be delightful! I loved seeing the Depot train with the magician and the addition of the lumberjacks, which were phenomenal! All of the children were so precious to watch, and I love the inclusion of special needs children, which enhanced the whole experience so much! Absolutely precious! Each and every one of the dancers deserve the standing ovation that occurred at the end. Bravo! I am giving this 4 stars, due to the disappointment with Mother Ginger and her gingerbread children scene being so different than expected, and the fact that it was a Christmas miracle that I finally found parking in the ramp at such a full venue! Big smile!
I went to see my granddaughter perform in the Nutcracker this year. It's the second time I've been. Everything, from the stage setting to the costumes, music, dancing and performing was simply magnificent! My grandgirl had a much longer stage presence than she did last year so that was a wonderful bonus She looked so beautiful in her blue dress, long bouncy curls and big bow. I was near the middle, to the left, third row from the front so I had a great seat. More of the action on stage took place in the middle and left side so I got a great view of the production. It was so much fun! The only negative is the price of the snacks and the women's bathroom line at intermission. I did, however, get an adorable medium sized wooden nutcracker doll for a really great price. This performance is absolutely worth seeing.
The Nutcracker was good, but surprised it was dance studio that put on the production. It was not advertised that it was a local dance studio. Was expecting more experienced adult ballerinas.
This was our first time seeing the Nutcracker and we thoroughly enjoyed the show. I will suggest for those that are not familiar with the story or just simply haven't read it recently, to read the pamphlet provided to understand the scenes. Otherwise you may be watching (a little lost) and not understanding what is being acted out - like me, because there is no narrations or lines during the show.
When I purchased the tickets I was not aware it was a local production. It was terrible, started late and then twenty minutes in paused due to technical difficulties. Not enjoyable at all.
I absolutely loved seeing the Nutcracker. I have always wanted to see it in person and finally got too. The choreography was beautiful and the dancers were so elegant. I definitely recommend going if you haven’t been
Nice to see a local troupe perform a favorite holiday classic. And all were very talented, poised, and professional!
Was absolutely amazing. I have always wanted to go to the nutcracker. I finally got to go and I brought my sister with me we both had an amazing time. The performers and music were outstanding. For a moment I felt like I was in New York!
