The family is gathered around Herr Drosselmeyer as, much like Santa Claus, he doles out gifts from a rather large bag. The children enjoy his antics and become increasingly excited when for his finale, he produces three dolls which then proceed to dance! It's quite spectacular. The laughter and chatter finally dies down, and we notice that Clara did not receive a present. Herr Drosselmeyer turns his pockets inside out, they're empty. He shrugs. And then, as we're about to protest, he presents her with a nutcracker. The rest of the story you know, it is none other than Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker.
In December, three ballet companies are presenting this classic Christmas ballet. The Tucson Regional Ballet has re-imagined the story, placing it here in Tucson in the 1880s. In A Southwest Nutcracker, Clara is Maria Martinez and the nutcracker an American Cavalry General. This production features everything from coyotes and rattlesnakes, to our very own Mount Lemmon. The music, however, remains unaltered and will be performed live by the Tucson Symphony Orchestra. Jared Matthews and Tucson native Brittany DeGrofft, both from the American Ballet Theatre will be dancing the principal roles.
Ballet Tucson (BT) is presenting the traditional version, accompanied by the Ballet Tucson Orchestra. Two casts featuring principal dancers Meredith Dulaney, Jenna Johnson, Stuart Lauer and Daniel Precup will grace the stage. Patrons can also participate in this production by volunteering for BT's Esprit de Corps. Besides performances, BT also gives back to the community through the outreach program Putting Your Best Foot Forward With Ballet Tucson. According to Founding Artistic Director Mary-Beth Cabana, children are taught important life lessons and ballet at the same time. "It's about standing proud and tall, and being confident in yourself," she adds.
Finally, the Moscow Ballet promises Russian classical dance with their Great Russian Nutcracker. Award-winning Ekaterina Bortykova stars as Masha, and principal dancer Akzhol Mussakhanov as the Nutcracker Prince.
Tucson Regional Ballet's A Southwest Nutcracker takes place on: Fri, Dec 11 at 10:00 am for a specially priced performance for K-12; Sat, Dec 12 at 2:00 & 7:30 pm and Sun, Dec 13 at 2:00 pm. All performances are at Tucson Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave. www.TucsonRegionalBallet.org
Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker takes place Mon, Dec 21 at 7:30pm, Fox Theatre, 17 W. Congress St. www.Nutcracker.com
Ballet Tucson's The Nutcracker takes place on: Thurs, Dec 24 at 3:00 pm; Sat, Dec 26 at 7:30 pm; Sun, Dec 27 at 1:00 pm & 5:00 pm. All performances are at Tucson Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave. www.BalletTucson.org
