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At the Ballet |
The 49th Annual Production of
The Nutcracker
The longest running holiday dance production in Texas returns with Ballet Austin's 49th annual production of The Nutcracker. Whether starting a new tradition or continuing a long-standing one, The Nutcracker is a magical, memory making experience for all ages, with an army of mischievous mice, a bevy of bon-bons, a slurry of sparkling snowflakes, and one jovial Mother Ginger... plus the Austin Symphony Orchestra!
Tchaikovsky's holiday masterpiece sparkles with the original choreography of Stephen Mills and comes to life with over 200 dancers. THIS Nutcracker is Austin's Holiday Tradition. Ballet Austin's annual production is the best gift you could give anyone - including yourself.
Choreography by Stephen Mills
Music by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Musical Accompaniment by The Austin Symphony Orchestra
Austin's Community Mother Ginger has been decided!
See the winner and details here.
View our 2011 Mother Ginger Line-up by clicking the "Cast & Credits" tab below. |
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 The Long Center
7:30pm | Dec 3, 9, 10 , 16 (sold out), 17, 21 (sold out), 22 (sold out)
2pm | Dec 4, 11, 17, 18, 23 (sold out)
Unwrap the best box this holiday season with VIP Box Seats. Click here for more information.
- Audio description by VSA Texas available for this show
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About
"Ballet Austin has bestowed upon us one of the greatest gifts of all - a fresh, energetic rendering of a classic Christmas show." - Caitlin Moore, Austinist
Follow Clara's adventures as she battles a giant Rat King and transforms her Nutcracker doll into a Prince. Together, they visit a magical land of dancing snowflakes, a Sugar Plum Fairy, and a celebration that takes her around the world in a single night.
Program Notes
Synopsis
The Nutcracker is an enchanting tale of holiday adventure that follows a girl's voyage through a fantasy world of fairies, a Nutcracker Prince, toy soldiers, and an army of mice.
The journey begins at Clara's home during her family's Christmas Eve party. At the party, Clara receives a special gift of a wooden nutcracker from her mysterious godfather. After the guests depart and everyone is sound asleep, Clara sneaks back into the parlor to see her nutcracker once more. All of a sudden, she finds herself surrounded by a room full of fighting mice and soldiers. A battle ensues, and in the end Clara's nutcracker transforms into a real prince! They travel together through a land filled with dancing snowflakes and a glistening Snow Queen and King.
The next stop is the kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy, where Clara and her Nutcracker Prince are honored for their bravery by dancers from all around the world. Suddenly, Clara awakens to find herself in her own bed, wondering if her magical adventure had really happened or had been simply just a dream.
History
In 1816, German writer E.T.A. Hoffmann published The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. In 1844, Alexandre Dumas ( The Three Musketeers) adapted Hoffmann's tale, which, with a few exceptions, is most like the children's tale we see performed today.
In December, 1892, the Nutcracker ballet premiered at the Imperial Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg, Russia. The ballet was a collaboration of Marius Petipa (senior ballet master to the Tsar), Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (the famous Russian composer), and Lev Ivanov (Petipa's assistant, who took over choreography when Petipa fell ill).
With their 1944 staging, the San Francisco Ballet became the first American professional company to premier a full-length The Nutcracker. In 1954, George Balanchine created a new staging of The Nutcracker, having performed many of the roles previously at the Mariinksy Theater in his native Russia. This version is the one American audiences are most familiar with today.
In 1956, the Austin Ballet Society (later Ballet Austin), accompanied by the Austin Symphony Orchestra, performed excerpts from The Nutcracker. In 1962 Ballet Austin was the first company in Texas to perform the full-length version of the ballet.
In 1997 Ballet Austin started the tradition of inviting local celebrities to dance the role of Mother Ginger. Past Mother Gingers have included:
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Hon. Lee Leffingwell, Mayor of Austin
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Ann Richards, former Governor of Texas
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Bill Powers, President of the University of Texas at Austin
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Lance Armstrong, 7-time winner of the Tour de France
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Robert Rodriguez, film director and screenwriter
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Michael Dell, Chairman of Dell Computers
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Kinky Friedman, singer/songwriter, novelist, humorist
In 1999, Stephen Mills premiered his original version of Ballet Austin's The Nutcracker. This is the choreography you'll see onstage in December.
Music
"Just listen to the ballet’s overture. In good productions, the view of childhood that starts here, in the miniature orchestration and quick pulse of Tchaikovsky’s introduction, is enchantingly serious. Gradually the music will build in scale until you reach the colossal, slow, full-orchestral grandeur of the Sugar Plum adagio in Act Two: no ballet score has a greater span, and this shows how passionately Tchaikovsky was depicting the inner life of a child… The Nutcracker is a musical masterpiece and, in some stagings, a theatrical masterpiece, too. As institutions go, it is one that repays revisiting."
- Alastair Macaulay, The New York Times, Dec. 16, 2009
The musical score of The Nutcracker has become a cornerstone of Tchaikovsky’s body of work and of the Christmas experience. The score can be classified under the Romantic period of music, known for its expression and passion as opposed to any formal rules. The melodies of The Nutcracker, like the famous Russian dance or the Waltz of the Flowers, are still considered to be some of the most inventive and harmonically advanced in ballet music.
One novelty in the original score was the use of the celesta, a miniature piano named for its celestial, heavenly sound. Tchaikovsky discovered the instrument in Paris and used it intentionally to characterize the enchanting Sugar Plum Fairy.
Cast & Credits
Cast
"The over 100-year-old ballet, with its many character roles, is a natural opportunity for dedicated young dancers to perform in a full-length, professional production. Ballet Austin's annual The Nutcracker at the Long Center is no exception to this rule." - Claire Christine Spera, Austin-American Statesman, Dec. 13, 2010
Dancers:
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1 |
2 |
3 or (Alternates) |
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Act I |
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Herr Silberhaus |
Frank Shott |
Paul Michael Bloodgood |
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Frau Silberhaus |
Aara Krumpe |
Ashley Lynn Gilfix |
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Clara |
Academy |
Academy |
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Fritz |
Academy |
Academy |
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Male Guest(s) |
Jordan Moser |
Jordan Moser |
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Ian Bethany |
Orlando Canova |
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Preston Patterson |
Preston Patterson |
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Michael Burfield |
Michael Burfield |
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Female Guest(s) |
Kirby Wallis |
Kirby Wallis |
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Elise Pekarek |
Elise Pekarek |
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Brittany Strickland |
Brittany Strickland |
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Michelle Thompson |
Michelle Thompson |
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Drosselmeyer |
Edward Carr |
Edward Carr |
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Governess |
Anne Marie Melendez |
Chelsea Renner |
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Dresden Doll |
Beth Terwilleger |
Oren Porterfield |
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Pierrot Doll |
Orlando Canova |
Ian Bethany |
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Nutcracker Prince |
Kody Jauron |
Kody Jauron |
(Jackson Jirard) |
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Rat King |
Benjamin Wetzel |
Benjamin Wetzel |
(Lucas Klinge) |
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Soldiers |
Rebekah DiFilippo |
Mari Kai Juras |
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Sophia Rumasuglia |
Linde Matthews |
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Lauren Heebner |
Rosie Sayvetz |
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Alison Casperson |
Sarah Stockman |
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Lauren Christensen |
Lacey Elliston |
(Eleanor) |
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Kristen Francomano |
Emily Olson |
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Sarah Morgan |
Lizzy Cohen |
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Peri Rieber |
Liza Barskaya |
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Rats |
Corey Mangum |
Academy |
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Rachel Beale |
Academy |
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William Abbott |
Academy |
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David Strong |
Academy |
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Academy |
Jackson Jirard |
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Academy |
Emily Slavin |
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Academy |
Kali Porteous |
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Academy |
Lucas Klinge |
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Snow King |
Christopher Swaim |
James Fuller |
Preston Patterson |
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Snow Queen |
Rebecca Johnson |
Anne Marie Melendez |
Jaime Lynn Witts |
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Snowflakes |
Kirby Wallis |
Kirby Wallis |
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Chelsea Renner |
Beth Terwilleger |
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Oren Porterfield |
Michelle Thompson |
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Brittany Strickland |
Brittany Strickland |
(Eleanor) |
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Elise Pekarek |
Elise Pekarek |
(Sarah Stockman) |
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Sarah Britton |
Sarah Britton |
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Daniella Zlatarev |
Daniella Zlatarev |
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Sarah Hays |
Sarah Hays |
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Mandy Wenk |
Mandy Wenk |
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Nicole Voris |
Nicole Voris |
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Whitley Saffron |
Whitley Saffron |
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Sally Schweitzer |
Sally Schweitzer |
(Lacey) |
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ACT II |
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Sugar Plum Fairy |
Ashley Lynn Gilfix |
Aara Krumpe |
(Rebecca Johnson) |
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Cavalier |
Paul Michael Bloodgood |
Frank Shott |
(Chris Swaim) |
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Spanish Male |
Chris Swaim |
James Fuller |
Ed Carr |
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Spanish Female |
Elise Pekarek |
Brittany Strickland |
Beth Terwilliger |
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Spanish Corps |
Mandy Wenk |
Kirby Wallis |
Kirby Wallis |
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Eleanor Bacon |
Sarah Britton |
Eleanor Bacon |
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Sally Schweitzer |
Sally Schweitzer |
Sally Schweitzer |
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Chelsea Renner |
Oren Porterfield |
Oren Porterfield |
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Arabian Male |
Edward Carr |
Christopher Swaim |
James Fuller |
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Arabian Female |
Kirby Wallis |
Rebecca Johnson |
Anne Marie Melendez |
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Chinese |
Ian Bethany |
Michael Burfield |
Orlando Canova |
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Russian Male lead |
Preston Patterson |
Ian Bethany |
Jordan Moser |
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Russian ensemble |
Orlando Canova |
Preston Patterson |
Preston Patterson |
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Russian ensemble |
Michael Burfield |
Jordan Moser |
Ian Bethany |
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French male |
Jordan Moser |
Orlando Canova |
Michael Burfield |
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French female |
Oren Porterfield |
Beth Terwilliger |
Michelle Thompson |
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French corps |
Lacey Elliston |
Sophia Rumasuglia |
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Linde Matthews |
Rebekah DiFilippo |
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Liza Barskaya |
Peri Rieber |
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Mari Kai Juras |
Kristen Francomano |
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Waltz lead |
Jaime Witts |
Michelle Thompson |
Chelsea Renner |
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Waltz corps |
Brittany Strickland |
Mandy Wenk |
Mandy Wenk |
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Sarah Britton |
Elise Pekarek |
Sarah Britton |
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Daniella Zlatarev |
Daniella Zlatarev |
Daniella Zlatarev (Lacey) |
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Sarah Hays |
Sarah Hays |
Sarah Hays (Sarah Stockman) |
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Nicole Voris |
Nicole Voris |
Nicole Voris (Eleanor) |
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Whitley Saffron |
Whitley Saffron |
Whitley Saffron (Sally) |
2011 Mother Gingers
Mary Ann Laverty - Manager, Global Distribution Programs
Chairwoman, Philanthropy Committee, Silicon Labs |
Dec 3, 2011
7:30pm |
David Bull - Chef Partner Congress Austin
Congress / Second Bar & Kitchen |
Dec 4, 2011
2:00pm |
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Regina Rodriguez - News Anchor, Univision 62
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Dec 9, 2011
7:30pm |
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Sara Osburn - JB & Sandy Morning Show, Mix 94.7
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Dec 10, 2011
7:30pm |
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Kirk Watson - Texas State Senator - District 14
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Dec 11, 2011
2:00pm |
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Frank Volpicella - Executive News Director, KVUE
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Dec 16, 2011
7:30pm |
COL Kenney Crawford - Deputy Commander / Chief of Staff,
U.S. Army Operational Test Command |
Dec 17, 2011
2:00pm |
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Tavo Hellmund - Chairman, Formula 1 United States
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Dec 17, 2011
7:30pm |
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Jeff Stensland - Reporter YNN Austin |
Dec 18, 2011 2:00pm
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Tim McClure - Founder GSD&M/Mythos
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Dec 21, 2011 7:30pm
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Freddy Herrera - Community Mother Ginger Contest Winner,
Teacher at Forest Trail Elementary
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Dec 22, 2011
7:30pm |
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Andrea McWilliams - Lobbyist
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Dec 23, 2011
2:00pm |
Credits
Choreography by Stephen Mills
Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Costume Design by Tommy Bourgeois
Scenic Design by Richard Isackes
Lighting Design by Tony Tucci
Live Musical Accompaniment by the Austin Symphony Orchestra
Artist Profiles
Stephen Mills, Choreographer
Stephen Mills began his tenure as Artistic Director at Ballet Austin in 2000. Known for an innovative and highly collaborative approach to choreography, Mill’s diverse repertoire of original and interpretive works is often difficult to categorize. Notions of classical, neo-classical, and modern meld into the organic.
In 2004, The Washington Post dubbed Ballet Austin "one of America's best kept secrets" after Ballet Austin performed Mills' world premier of The Taming of the Shrew, commissioned by and performed at The John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
Recent recipient of the Steinberg Award, the top honor at the Festival des Arts de Saint-Sauveur International Choreographic Competition for his original work One/The Body’s Grace, Mills has guest taught at pre-professional dance academies across the country and remains a committed member of the national dance service organization Dance/USA.
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Composer
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was born in Russia in1840. He began studying music theory at the St. Petersburg Conservatory in 1862, and later joined the teaching faculty at the newly-established Moscow Conservatory.
In 1877, Tchaikovsky began a friendship with the widow Nadezhada von Meck, a wealthy patron of the arts who would support him through the next 14 years. Her patronage allowed him to quit teaching and devote himself to composition.
In addition to ten operas, six symphonies, the 1812 Overture, Serenade for Strings, and a fantasy-overture for Romeo and Juliet, Tchaikovsky composed three ballets: Swan Lake (1876), The Sleeping Beauty (1889), and The Nutcracker (1892). Each ballet is drawn from folklore or fairy tale, and those fantasy elements, along with the color and drama of the ballets, are apparent in much of Tchaikovsky’s music. As Professor Robert Greenberg says, "If Tchaikovsky felt it, it found a way into his music."
Tchaikovsky died from cholera on November 6, 1893, nine days after the premier of his sixth symphony, Pathétique.
Reviews
12/8/11 “Austinites are dealt a pretty lucky hand with Ballet Austin’s staging of this familiar but always charming story. Capable dancers, fab costumes and top-notch musical accompaniment from the Austin Symphony Orchestra explain why this has become an unmissable December event for so many of us.” —Caitlin Moore, Austinist
Read the complete review here.
12/5/11 “Audiences at The Nutcracker tend to be more varied than for any other ballet — from bunheads to proud parents, aficionados to first-time viewers, The Nutcracker brings people together to experience a holiday tradition.” —Claire Christine Spera, Austin-American Statesman
Read the complete review here.
12/13/10 "Mills’ choreography, which calls for concise movement and perfectly placed lines by the snow corps de ballet, mimics the crispness of a snowflake landing on one’s nose." —Claire Christine Spera, Austin-American Statesman
Read the complete review here.
"You may not realize it, but Austin has a hard-working, ambitious and innovative ballet company in its midst, and they have bestowed upon us one of the greatest gifts of all—a fresh, energetic rendering of a classic Christmas show."—Caitlin Moore, Austinist, 12/10/08
Read the complete review here.
12/14/09 Hear Austin Classical 89.5 KMFA host Dianne Donovan interview Stephen Mills, discussing his choreography and the history of The Nutcracker here.
12/9/09 Get a behind-the-scenes look at the production with Artistic Director Stephen Mills and Ballet Austin dancers here.
12/8/09 Read the Austinist review of the 2009 production here
12/9/08 Read the Austin American Statesman feature on Ballet Austin’s The Nutcracker, “Waiting in the Wings” here.
12/5/08 Watch Austin’s KVUE News preview of The Nutcracker here and the video of KVUE's Tyler Sieswerda as Mother Ginger here.
12/8/08 Hear KUT Austin's John Aielli interview Stephen Mills, Michelle Martin (Associate Artistic Director, Ballet Austin), Bill Piner (Director of Schools, Ballet Austin), Jeff Eckstein (Conductor, Austin Symphony), and Paul Michael Bloodgood (Dancer, Ballet Austin) before the inaugural Nutcracker at the Long Center here.
12/08/05 The Austin American-Statesman discusses The Nutcracker with Michelle Martin here.
Events
Family Dance Workshop – The Nutcracker
Sun Nov 13, 2011 | 2 – 3:30pm
Ballet Austin’s AustinVentures StudioTheater
See excerpts from Austin’s Holiday Tradition, Ballet Austin’s The Nutcracker, and create your own choreography with the help of Ballet Austin dancers. Recommended for ages 3 to 12 years old and their family members. Learn more.
Footlights – The Nutcracker
One hour prior to all performances Dec 3 – 23, 2011
The Long Center
Just an hour before each performance of The Nutcracker, join us in the theater for a look at the final preparations for the ballet. See the last minute workings of dancers and production crew as you learn about the history, choreography, and artistic process of creating the production. Free for ticket holders. Learn more.
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