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Our curtain opens with Clara watching the snow coming down and her dream begins with the Christmas Angels who brings news to the Sugar Plum Fairy of Clara's impending arrival in the Kingdom of the Sweets. A decorated honor guard escorts Clara to her throne and a wonderful pageant is then put on in her honor. This pageant opens with the fiery Spanish Dance, and is soon followed by a vibrant Russian Dance, Tchaikovsky's brilliantly scored dance for the Merlitons, a playful candy cane dance for the Polichinelles, and the great sweeping "Waltz of the Flowers". Finally, the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier dance in a grand pas de deux and the ballet is brought to a rousing conclusion by the famous finale. Each of the characters pay homage to Clara and she is presented with a magical Nutcracker as a token of their love for her and their fondest hopes for her future and her destiny.
The first performance of the "Nutcracker", in December of 1892, began a long series of performances of the ballet but was itself the end of a long train of events. The Imperial Ballet Christmas production in 1890, "The Sleeping Beauty", had been one of the most successful ballets ever performed. Marius Petipa, the ballet master and principal choreographer for the Imperial Ballet, had prepared to story with assistance from his boss, Ivan Alexandrovich, the Director of the Imperial Theaters. They had commissioned Tchaikovsky to write the music; his fine score has set a new standard of music for the ballet.
Today, of course, the "Nutcracker" is performed literally thousands of times all across the world every November and December. We humbly salute this beautiful tradition and hope you will make seeing the performance a tradition of your own. |
Performance Dates
Ticket InformationAdults: $15
Student/Senior: $10 Group ticket pricing is available for groups of 10 or more. |
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U of L Dance Academy -- Specializing in classical ballet training for ages 4 and up.
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Website Supported and Paid for by Supporters of the Dance Academy
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