The Nutcracker Ballet: A Journey Through Time
It would be difficult to imagine the holiday season in America (or throughout much of the world, for that matter) without The Nutcracker ballet. Attending a performance has become a Christmas tradition for countless families, and no wonder, since it also serves as a wonder-filled introduction to ballet and classical music for thousands of children. Yet the history of The Nutcracker ballet is as rich and intricate as its fantastical plot, and well worth learning about.
German, French, and Russian Origins
Arguably the most magical thing about this iconic ballet is that it has no single origin or end, and will forever be greater than the sum of its parts. Based on German fantasy author E.T.A. Hoffmann's 1816 "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" (which includes the story of how the prince was transformed into a nutcracker), the decidedly dark fairytale was reframed for child-appropriateness and palatability by French novelist and playwright Alexandre Dumas in 1844.
This version was then adapted for ballet for the Russian Imperial Theatre. Because Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky had written the musical score for the previous (and highly successful) ballet production of Sleeping Beauty, he was asked to do the same for The Nutcracker. The ballet master’s assistant, Lev Ivanov, created the choreography. The ballet premiered at the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg in December 1892. Although it’s hard to believe now, it initially received only a lukewarm reception, and was largely panned by critics.
American Transformation
However, the ballet's fortunes changed dramatically when it reached American shores. Many of the songs in The Nutcracker Suite already enjoyed international success, including in the US. The San Francisco Ballet company performed the first complete version, choreographed by Willam Christensen, in the US on Christmas Eve, 1944. In 1954, the addition of Georgian-American George Balanchine’s world-class choreography made the ballet a profitable hit in New York, and to this day, you’ll see his name on the program of many productions.
A Contemporary Tradition, Reimagined
Over the years, other renowned choreographers like Rudolf Nureyev, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Alexei Ratmansky, and Matthew Bourne have reimagined ways to dance the globally famous ballet. The Nutcracker has also been adapted for a greater range of audiences, and now exists in LGBT, hip-hop, and Jewish versions.
Since then, The Nutcracker has remained a beloved holiday mainstay, and performances often account for a significant portion of a ballet company's annual revenue. Ballet connoisseurs and first-timers alike shouldn’t hesitate to snatch up tickets for this year’s production of pure Christmas joy.
See The Nutcracker Performed by Southern California Ballet
Enjoy ultimate holiday magic with Southern California Ballet’s performance of The Nutcracker, on December 16–17, 2023. Tickets go on sale on October 31, so be sure to get yours early! While you’re waiting for the big night, be sure to read more about The Nutcracker’s history and background. Are you a teacher in San Diego? Treat your class to discounted field trip performances of this holiday favorite.
Southern California Ballet is a world class dance facility in San Diego that trains dancers for a professional career, empowers people for a life of success, and welcomes the community to be part of an extraordinary experience. Our mission is to empower aspiring dancers to reach their full potential and to elevate the community through educational programs and imaginative performances.
You can learn more about SCB's annual ballet productions on our website. Each production has its own background page, where you can learn more about each ballet’s history, plot, choreography, featured technical skills, artistic direction, and more. Sign up for our newsletter and join us on social media for updates on ticket sales for future performances.