‘Tis the Season for the Nutcracker

There are few things more quintessentially “Christmas” than The Nutcracker. The ballet, dating back to the 19th century and scored by Tchaikovsky, has evolved into a December ritual no less omnipresent than A Christmas Story on TBS, or National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, well, everywhere else.

And for a reason. The two-act ballet adapted from E.T.A. Hoffman’s 1816 short story “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King,” is responsible for approximately 40% of ticket revenues of major American ballet companies. 40 percent. That is because, simply, people who never, ever go to the ballet go to The Nutcracker. People who know nothing about dance, and less about classical music (“Hey, that’s the ‘Beef – It’s What’s for Dinner’ song! Cool!!”) enjoy the Nutcracker . And people who hate ballet can at least tolerate it. And once you’ve see it twice, maybe three times, it becomes a family tradition.

We, in the greater Nippertown area, certainly do not lack for choices to experience this classic. The Palace has the Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet! tour, featuring stars of the Ukraine ballet, on Nov. 17. Proctors features the Northeast Ballet’s production (two shows, Dec. 3-4) on their MainStage. The Wood Theater in Glens Falls has the Adirondack Ballet Theater’s presentation (three shows, Dec. 10-11). The Egg has both the Albany Berkshire Ballet’s production (three shows, Dec. 10-11) and the Nacre Dance Group (two shows, Dec. 17) on their schedule.

This is not meant to be an exhaustive list. There are full productions and snippets being put on by many organizations, even as we speak. I was in a bookstore at the mall last weekend and was treated to selected pieces by the Albany Berkshire Ballet. Whatever your choice – get out there and support our local dancers and our local venues.

It’s just not Christmas without the Nutcracker.