There’s a Nutcracker near you

The Nutcracker, a ballet that is a timeless holiday classic, follows Clara Stahlbaum and her Nutcracker from an extravagant Christmas party to a fierce battle with the evil Mouse King and his mouse army, then on a magical journey through the Land of Snow and Kingdom of Sweets.

The action takes place as Clara dreams after the party guests have departed. There is an army of mice that are defeated by an army of gingerbread soldiers. After the battle, the Nutcracker is turned into a handsome prince, who leads Clara through the various mythical lands with dances representing each of them.

There is something for everybody in a performance of The Nutcracker. Children are thrilled by the story and the characters. Parents may remember seeing the ballet as a child. Ballet patrons will be thrilled by the dance performance.

Originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, the libretto was adapted from a story by E.T.A. Hoffmann. The soaring music of composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky moves the ballet along. The ballet was first performed in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1892.

Companies across the U.S. have adapted the choreography, with Tchaikovsky’s music remaining intact. There are variations from the original story by some ballet companies.

There is something in every Nutcracker production for everyone. Entertainment for adults, an introduction to ballet or inspiration to children to take up ballet.

The Nutcracker performances in The Gayly region:

Arkansas

Fayetteville – Ballet Arkansas, Dec. 8-10.

Bentonville – Conservatory of Classical Ballet, Dec. 2-3.

Fort Smith – Western Arkansas Ballet, Dec. 16-17.

Little Rock – Great Russian Nutcracker, Dec. 21.

Kansas

Wichita – Ballet Wichita, Dec. 15-17.

Missouri

Kansas City – Kansas City Ballet, Dec. 7-24

Springfield – Springfield Ballet, Dec. 15-18.

Oklahoma

Tulsa – Tulsa Ballet, Dec. 9-23.

Oklahoma City – Oklahoma City Ballet, Dec. 9-19.

Texas Panhandle

Amarillo – Lone Star Ballet, Dec. 8-10.