The Nutcracker

Artistic Director: John Bishop

The Nutcracker is a two-act ballet originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, with a score composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Premiered in 1892 in St. Petersburg, Russia, it has since become one of the most popular and widely performed ballets, particularly during the holiday season.

The story is based on E.T.A. Hoffmann’s tale The Nutcracker and the Mouse King and centers around a young girl named Clara (or Marie, depending on the version) who receives a magical nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve. That night, her doll comes to life, leading Clara on a magical adventure. The Nutcracker, transformed into a prince, battles the Mouse King and takes Clara to the Land of Sweets, ruled by the Sugar Plum Fairy. In this enchanted land, Clara witnesses a series of dances performed by characters from different countries, such as the Spanish, Arabian, and Russian dancers, culminating in the famous “Waltz of the Flowers.”

Tchaikovsky’s score for The Nutcracker includes some of the most recognizable and beloved pieces in classical music, like the “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” and the “Trepak” (Russian Dance).