By Merijo Holley
The Ballet West troupe and their stunning The Nutcracker performance is back home at the Capitol Theatre in downtown Salt Lake City. They have just returned from a 7-run, sell-out tour at Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. The Ballet has been invited to the Kennedy an unprecedented three times in eight years. Now running in Salt Lake City, Ballet West shows off the longest running Nutcracker in the United States. Don’t miss the opportunity to continue your family tradition, or start a new one this year.
The Capitol Theatre is a 100-year-old venue, restored to grandeur this century, lending the perfect atmosphere for a traditional Nutcracker experience. Ballet West honors Tchaikovsky’s full orchestral score and Willam Christensen’s 74 year-old historic choreography. Big changes to the show were introduced last year with over 200 new costumes and 28 new drop-panel set changes, overseen by Ballet West’s artistic director, Adam Sklute, with new costume creation by David Heuvel and set mastery by John Wayne Cook.
The new set includes lighting design that rivals Disney in production value. From the Victorian era streets of Germany to the home’s interior, to the dream lands of the Kingdom of Snow and Kingdom of Sweets, the sets and lights lend the perfect narrative for the tale you love. Be prepared for the laudable excitement of the audience when the Christmas tree magically grows ten times its original size right before their eyes.
The Nutcracker story was written by E.T.A. Hoffmann and tells of little Clara attending a fancy Christmas party. Her uncle, Herr Drosselmeyer, gives her a wooden nutcracker, unique from all the other girls who receive a doll. Clara falls asleep later in the night and dreams of a world in which her nutcracker becomes a valiant prince who slays the evil mouse king and joins her for an escape to the Kingdom of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets.
The ballet is presented in two acts. Act One represents the Christmas party, the gift, and the beginning of the dream at the Kingdom of Snow. The Snow Royalty invite Clara and her Price to join their dance, followed by the Dance of the Snowflakes in glittering blue tutus and pom-pom bouquets. The first act includes children dancers from around the community who have earned their spot at Clara’s Christmas party. The first act will excite the young crowd, and The Nutcracker tradition will instantly become your own.
The second act belongs to the Ballet West principals and troupe, who perform flawlessly. The gorgeous design and elegant dancing continue to amaze the audience. In this production, the Sugarplum Fairy is depicted with elegant butterfly wings and pink glitter. Clara and her prince also enjoy the Waltz of the Flowers and the Russian and Chinese Tea Dances. By the time Clara awakens, the audience has experienced a visual visit to many cultures throughout the world, with representative dance. The dancers are accompanied by the Ballet West Orchestra, with seamless transitions and musical layering.
George S. and Delores D. Eccles along with Ballet West presents The Nutcracker
Capitol Theatre, 50 West 200 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101.
December 14-29, with times varying by date.
Tickets: $24 to $88 available online or at the Capitol Theatre box office.
Contact: 801-869-6920
Ballet West Facebook Page
The Nutcracker Facebook Event
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