Having never been to a ballet before, I was skeptical and unsure if I would enjoy such a classic tale told through movement and melody. With that being said, the only word that comes to mind when I think of Ballet Arizona‘s “Nutcracker” is “magical.”
From the aesthetics of the lobby to the beautiful stage, the air is filled with holiday cheer. You can take pictures with a ballerina or in front of their gorgeous Christmas tree while you wait for the show to start, but once it begins, prepare to be mesmerized.
Once the show starts, the use of a projector makes the small auditorium seem humongous, transporting you into the realm of the Nutcracker. The live orchestra sounds so beautiful that you’re almost certain it had to be pre-recorded, as the holiday melodies ring out in perfectly timed coordination with the performers on-stage.
While you don’t typically root for the rats in the traditional story of the Nutcracker, you will find yourself rooting for them to be on stage more and more as the show goes on. With their silly antics and whimsical movements, they were definitely a crowd favorite. Another fan-favorite was the ever-famous Mother Ginger. In her big dress, she captures your attention and gets a lot of love from her fans.
With that being said, my favorite part had to be the snowflakes. With their perfectly timed and choreographed movements, your eyes won’t be able to leave the stage, as you gaze in amazement. You become transfixed on every graceful movement they make, and with a mystical hidden surprise, the snowflakes bid you farewell as intermission comes.
You’re not going to want to leave your seat though, because the next part is truly what the nutcracker is about. “The big show” is how I would describe it. With different acts and once again, beautiful flawless movements, you truly feel like you are Clara and the Prince sitting on stage with the citizens of the Land of Sweets performing for you and you alone.
It’s an experience that you don’t want to miss out on, and something that I highly recommend to make your holiday season a little more magical. There’s that word again.
