George Balanchines the Nutcracker Tickets

By the end of every year as we approach Christmas, the cities light up. In the dead cold of winter, the familial gatherings keep the hearts and souls warm. Over the years, the beautiful story of The Nutcracker and its many adaptations have become part of the Christmas tradition in the US. By Christmas time, many cities present one or the other variation at their theatres and arenas. The timeless classic by Hoffmann is brought to life by Tchaikovsky’s score in George Balanchine’s version. This year, the Miami City Ballet is holding performances of The Nutcracker at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach, Florida.

The Nutcracker and the Mouse King was penned down by E. T. A. Hoffmann in 1816. It was revised almost thirty years later by the famous writer Alexander Dumas. This version of the story was adapted into a libretto which was choreographed by the renowned ballet masters Lev Ivanov and Marius Petipa in 1892. The score for the ballet was provided by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky which has become one of his most appreciated compositions. The ballet has been loved through the decades and is now crowned as one of the most played and recognized ballets around the world.

In 1954, the ballet was polished and tweaked with a few changes here and there by the prolific choreographer George Balanchine. His version received widespread critical acclaim in the US earning it a place of its own in the many adaptations of The Nutcracker. Every year, many renowned ballet schools such as the Miami City Ballet and New York City Ballet perform Balanchine’s version around Christmas. Due to its popularity and sold-out shows, the ballet is considered the best revenue-generating show for the institutes.

The George Balanchine’s version of The Nutcracker differs from the original in many aspects. His version changes the lead character’s name from Clara to Marie. The ballet uses his invented and taught ballet movements, styles and techniques that have been coined as the Balanchine Method. He also replaces actual children as performers in place of women who portray children. In his ballet, Marie and the nutcracker Prince are played out as innocent children who develop fondness for each other. On the contrary, in the more popular version, the adults performing Marie/Clara and the Prince suggest a budding romance between the two. And in that version, both are active in the first and the second act. In Balachine’s, the kids sit out the entire second act while other performers create the magical world on stage.

The story of The Nutcracker follows the Stahlbaum house on Christmas Eve where Marie and her siblings await for gifts. Each speculates what he or she will be getting this year. Once the Christmas tree is decorated, the children are let in and handed their gifts. As the clock strikes eight, Drosselmeyer enters the house bearing more gifts. He is godfather to Marie as well as a magician, a councilman and a very talented toymaker. Every child in the house loves his gifts including Marie who also takes up a liking to the nutcracker presented to everyone in the house. The nutcracker is accidently broken by Marie’s brother which breaks her heart. Later that night when everyone has slept, she sneaks in the parlor to check up on the nutcracker. At that moment the clock strikes midnight and what follows turns the story of Marie and the nutcracker into a beautiful tale of magic, wonder and love.

The famous performers from the Miami City Ballet are coming to West Palm Beach, Florida. They will be playing in the Dreyfoos Concert Hall at the prestigious Kravis Center. The show will be staged from the beginning of the Christmas season through New Year’s Eve. So grab George Balanchines The Nutcracker tickets and bring your loved ones to experience one of the best shows of the holidays.