Oregon Ballet Theatre presents, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker at Keller Auditorium. The treasured holiday tradition continues as the brave toy soldiers battle the mischievous mice led by the evil Mouse King, and snowflakes dance. Join Marie, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and the Prince on their magical journey, suitable for adults and children of all ages, and get carried away to a magical Land of Sweets, all to Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score! This year, make Oregon Ballet Theatre’s production of Balanchine’s Nutcracker a part of your holiday tradition. Create memories to last a lifetime as you experience this exquisitely danced confection with family and friends.
Its Christmas Eve, Doctor, and Frau Stahlbaum, along with their children Marie and Fritz, are hosting an elegant holiday party, complete with a splendid Christmas tree, games, dances, and gifts to entertain their friends and relatives with. At the stroke of eight, an owl suddenly flaps inside, the lights flicker and fail, and the mysterious Herr Drosselmeier makes a dramatic entrance! To the delight of the guests, he has brought some life-sized dancing toys, and an extra special gift for Marie: A Nutcracker.
Later that night, at midnight, Marie sneaks back to look for her Nutcracker, and as soon as she falls asleep; the room begins to change. Giant mice scurry through the shadows while the Christmas tree and the toys beneath it grow bigger and bigger. A Battle breaks out as the mice, led by their fierce King, attack the Nutcracker and his army, and it seems the mice will win until, at the very last moment, Marie throws her slipper at the King, distracting him long enough for the Nutcracker to run him through with his sword and seize victory.
The Nutcracker Prince leads Marie on a journey to the Palace of the Land of Sweets, where the Sugar Plum Fairy reigns. There, the Prince tells the court how Marie saved him in his battle with the Mouse King. As a reward, the Sugar Plum Fairy seats them both upon a special throne to enjoy the dancing of Spanish Hot Chocolate, Arabian Coffee, and Tea from China. Candy Canes also perform for the two, along with Marzipan Shepherdesses, Mother Ginger and her Polichinelles, and the beautiful Dew Drop Fairy and her Flowers. As a final honor, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and her Cavalier dance a majestic pas de deux. Marie and the Nutcracker Prince thank the Sugar Plum Fairy for her grand entertainment. Everyone in the Land of Sweets gathers to bid them farewell.
Born in St. Petersburg, George Balanchine was a Georgian-American ballet choreographer, and one of the most influential 20th-century choreographers. Taking the standards and technique from the Imperial Ballet School and fusing it with other schools of movement, creating the signature “neoclassical style”. His choreography is characterized by plotless ballets with minimal costume and décor, performed to classical and neoclassical music. Styled as the father of American ballet, he co-founded the New York City Ballet and remained its Artistic Director for more than 35 years.
Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was born on May 7, 1840, in Kamsko-Votkinsk, Vyatka, Russia. Tchaikovsky’s work was first publicly performed in 1865, in 1868, his First Symphony was well-received, and by 1874, he had established himself a master with Piano Concerto No.1 in B-flat Minor. Tchaikovsky resigned from the Moscow Conservatory in 1878 and spent the rest of his career composing yet more prolifically. He is most celebrated for his ballets, specifically Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker. Pyotr Tchaikovsky died in St. Petersburg on November 6, 1893.
Oregon Ballet Theatre is the largest professional ballet company in the state, employing nearly 200 people and attracting artists from around the globe with a strong reputation for excellence, and a repertoire that ranges from the great classics to premieres for some of the most exciting choreographic voices in the field today. Oregon Ballet Theatre vision is to be an inclusive, relevant, and compelling company that reflects the essence of Portland, with artists of national caliber, a strong unified and enthusiastic board, financial stability, and a reputation for being a great place to work. To be the gold standard for dance in the region, known for articulate, dynamic, and expressive work, on stage and off.