Holiday Series

Nutcracker

Nutcracker Scores Superlative Reviews!...
Nashville audiences love Nashville's Nutcracker!

"The professional members of the cast, the talented women and men who comprise the heart and soul of Nashville Ballet and who pursue their art in a city better known for its music, deliver superb performances throughout.... Vasterling's imaginative retelling of the ages-old Nutcracker is brought vividly to the stage by the amazing artists at Nashville Ballet. Certainly, the dancers are spectacularly talented, confident and assured as they relate the ageless tale, and they are given sumptuous trappings in which to perform. Nutcracker, brought so beautifully to life by Vasterling and his exceptional company of dancers, ....encapsulating all that the holiday season means."
Read more at BroadwayWorld.com:

"This particular production of Nutcracker is a prime example of why Nashville Ballet is an undeniable treasure to the Middle Tennessee community...Nutcracker features magnificent set design by Shigeru Yaji. Yaji's work is elegant throughout and perfectly enchanting once Clara arrives in the Land of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Likewise, Campbell Baird's costume design is extremely detailed and luscious. Add to that Scott Leathers' warm, engaging lighting, and you have a visually stunning display of art that succinctly hugs the amazing talent of the company dancers...The other fabulous element of Nutcracker is that our beloved Nashville Symphony provides the musical backdrop under the phenomenal direction of Paul Gambill. The symphony shines brighter than the proverbial Christmas star in its performance of Tchaikovsky's impeccable score."
Read more at Nashville Parent:

"Winter's bitter chill seemed a dim memory for the audience when the curtain went up on Nashville Ballet's Nutcracker...This top-notch production is even more polished than last year's premiere. Sadie Bo Harris with Jon Upleger partnered superbly as the Snow Queen and King. Their spectacular lifts were secure; their connection with each other, palpable...the Act II variations had many fine moments...Brendon LaPier as the Snake Charmer and Krissy Johnson as the Snake Lady...the Nutcracker Prince (Christopher Stuart) with the sparkling Dew Drop (Kimberly Ratcliffe) as they leaped and spun among the Flowers...children on the stage added a charming dimension to Nashville Ballet's Nutcracker. What a great way for these young dancers to begin the Christmas season ."
Read more of the Tennessean review

The magical and memorable 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition was one of the inspirations used for Nashville Ballet's spectacular, all-new production of Nutcracker. You and your child can learn more about the Exposition by visiting the Nashville Room of the Downtown Public Library or researching the internet together. The following story will help you and your child experience the opening act of Nutcracker in the same way that Clara will do in our production. Each of the special characters Clara meets in the Prologue will transform within her dream in the second act of the ballet. Just click on the colored words in the Prologue below and you will be whisked away to a land of fun facts, crafts, games, puzzles, and recipes that you can use before and after our performance. Children of all ages get out some glue, some glitter, and a package of peppermints... and get ready to create a little Nutcracker magic of your own!

It is 1897 and the Tennessee Centennial Exposition is taking place in the area of land that is now Centennial Park. Exotic displays from all corners of the world are being exhibited in the "Vanity Fair." Just like Clara, you are about to meet new friends with treasures to show and share. The first stop is a colorful tent filled with the sweet smell of chocolate. A beautiful Spanish lady twirls before you and hands you a cup of melted chocolate; an amazing treat, a sweet and spicy drink. Next, you cross the fairway to a tent made of embroidered silk. As you curiously approach the tent you are greeted by a small Chinese man who smiles and hands you a miniature dragon puppet on wooden sticks. You laugh as you make the little dragon huff, puff, leap and soar with the movement of your hands. At the next exhibit, you see a man seated on the ground with a basket in front of his folded legs. He is playing a flute and wears a turban on his head. His golden earrings shine like rare coins in a treasure chest. You push through the crowd to see what this man is doing. As you draw closer, you see the shadowy form of a cobra swaying back and forth, rising slowly out of the basket to the sound of its master's music. As the snake is charmed, everyone in the crowd gasps and you quickly dash away. At the next display, you meet a Russian woman wrapped in a colorful scarf holding a special wooden doll. She hands you the doll shaped like a goose egg and tells you to open it carefully in the middle. As you do, you are surprised to find another wooden doll nestled inside. She laughs and tells you to open that one, too. Each time you open one doll, another one emerges, which is smaller than the one before. These Matroyshka nesting dolls are filled with surprises! Next, you see a lovely lady holding a shiny silver tray. The tray is stacked high with white candies with delicate red stripes, peppermint bonbons! She smiles and tells you to take one for each hand. As you thank her, you stuff one, then two of the sweet confections in your mouth with joy! Suddenly, you feel something warm licking sugar off your hand and turn to find a baby lamb. As you bend down to rub the lamb on the head, you see his shepherdess appear. She gathers her fuzzy friend in her arms as you hear the sound of walnuts cracking nearby. At the last exhibit, a German man holds a beautiful wooden nutcracker high above the crowd. You see him moving a handle behind the creation as walnut shells fall slowly to the ground. The man hands out fresh nuts to children in the crowd, and you move closer to see the nutcracker, which is now on a table at the man's side. "He's magic", whispers the German man, as you reach to touch the nutcracker's soft beard and hair. As you turn to leave, you smile as you notice a mysterious gleam in the old man's eyes! Magic, indeed! That is a word that best describes your entire evening; one full of special surprises and new experiences.

It is our hope here at Nashville Ballet that our Nutcracker will be just that- an evening full of wonder, surprise, joy, excitement, and magic. Please join us as we celebrate a treasured holiday tradition with an all-new Nashville twist