NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet: A Holiday Tradition

The Magic of The Nutcracker Comes Alive At Ovens Auditorium

I’m not going to lie, I absolutely love the holiday season and all the wonderful customs and family traditions that go along with it. There is something quite magical about the tree, the lights, the food, and all the amazing Christmas events there are to attend. One of my favorite Christmas traditions is taking in a performance of The Nutcracker. It is simply everything that is special about the holidays with classic music, beautiful costumes and sets, and of course, breathtaking dance. This year NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet headed to the Queen City for two evenings at Ovens Auditorium and I was thrilled to be able to witness the incredible show.

This year’s performance was also a special one for me personally as it brought back so many memories of my mother who passed away several years ago. NUTCRACKER! Magical Chrismas Ballet was the last event that we attended together and this was my first time back since she’s been gone.

The Story

The show is divided into two acts set to Tchaikovsky’s classical The Nutcracker Suite and takes place on Christmas Eve. The scene is full of guests being entertained by a variety of puppets, toy soldiers, and of course the Nutcracker. When the clock strikes midnight, Clara is asleep and her dreams turn into nightmares as the Rat King and his army of mice attack. Never fear, the brave Nutcracker saves the day and just like in a real fairy tale turns into a prince. 

The scenery and costumes are exquisite as the dance takes us through a Christmas Eve party, Clara’s nightmare, and my personal favorite the Winter Forest which features snowflakes and even Father Christmas. The athleticism of the dancers is surpassed only by the artistry as they spin and leap in a exceptional display of ballet at its finest. If the show ended here, I would have left fully satisfied, but there was still much more to come. 

Act 2 opens with a magnificent pas de deux with the Doves of Peace, which is unique to the NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet and is simply one of the most beautiful dances I have ever witnessed. From there, we are transported to the Land of Peace and Harmony.

At this point of the show, the dancers really display their strength with unique acrobatic skills to accompany the dancing. Featured Variations include Chinese, Arabian, French, Spanish, and Folkloric all with gorgeous costuming and amazing artists. This is also the portion of the show where the wonderful puppeteers can be seen with birds of all shapes and sizes.

To conclude the evening, we have Clara and the Prince dancing to the “Waltz of the Flowers,” featuring epic lifts, mindblowing leaps, and spins, all brought to life through the magic of ballet. 

The performance really made me appreciate the training and hard work that goes into a life of dance. NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet did not disappoint and was a feast for the eyes and ears. The audience agreed as everyone from older couples to little girls with ballerina dreams were enthralled by the show. Make Nutcracker a holiday tradition in your family and experience a little of the magic it can bring. 

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