A+

Over hundreds of years, holiday traditions across the globe have grown, developed, and disappeared
with time. From Yule Logs, to dances, to dreidels, to Christmas carols every family has some way of
celebrating the holidays during the last months of the year, yet one of the most timeless symbols of the
December festivities is The Nutcracker ballet.
The Nutcracker is based off E.T.A. Hoffmanns book The Nutcracker and the Mouse King with music
composed by Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky. Since the ballets original debut in 1892, The Nutcracker has been
adapted into hundreds of ballets, movies, and cartoons with its popularity peaking during
Christmastime.
The production follows Clara Stahmbaum (Cara Marie Gary) on a Christmas Day, where her family
gathers to exchange gifts, stories, and well wishes. When her and her brothers Godfather, Dr.
Drosselmeyer (Fabrice Calmels) arrives he brings magic (and toys) for the children. Yet his most
memorable gift was a Nutcracker given to Clara. Because of the Nutcracker, she enters his world to fight
the Mouse King and his minions.
With the Mouse King defeated, Clara gives the Nutcracker a kiss, transforming him into a prince. He
then leads Clara and Dr. Drosselmeyer into the Kingdom of Sweets where they meet the dazzling Sugar
Plum Fairy (April Daly) and her friends from different countries, presenting them with gifts and
performances.
Chicagos Joffrey Ballet and The Cleveland Orchestra proved to be a fantastic combination of sights and
sounds. With the meticulous choreography and the mystical orchestration, The Nutcracker managed to
transform the night into the magical realm of the Sugar Plum Fairy and The Nutcracker Prince. Each
character was easily distinguishable on stage and every note played in the orchestra was perfectly
executed. Most notably, the character Mother Ginger was puppeteered by children beneath her skirt. At
approximately ten feet tall, her skirt houses about twenty children entering and leaving her tented
dress.
The Cleveland Orchestra was conducted by Tito Muoz and also featured the Cleveland Orchestra
Childrens chorus. The combination of the musical talent between these groups are divine and
accompanied the ballet beyond expectations.
The night was a fantastic performance from many individuals. Every single person involved, staging,
lighting, choreography, conducting, deserved the standing ovation received. It was an absolute treat to
watch the magic take place, and everyone in the audience went home with smiles and dreams of Sugar
Plums and Gingerbread men.