A Holiday Favorite Returns to the Carpenter Theatre

by Urban Views Weekly November 26, 2013

A beloved holiday tradition returns to Richmond, when Richmond Ballet presents Stoner Winsletts’ full-length The Nutcracker, December 14-23, 2013 at the historic Carpenter Theatre at Richmond CenterStage. Heralded as one of the country’s most perfect [Nutcracker productions] by The New York Times, The Nutcracker will feature the company’s full roster of professionals, as well as 26 trainees and over 150 accomplished students from The School of Richmond Ballet.

Peter Tchaikovsky’s famous score will once again be brought to life by The Richmond Symphony for all 13 performances.

Nutcracker always represents a very special time in our season, said Stoner Winslett, Artistic Director of Richmond Ballet. The Nutcracker is the result of a true collaborative process between all the artistic elements of the Richmond Ballet world: our professional dancers, students from our school, and even students from our Minds In Motion program. Moreover, in celebrating our 30th Anniversary as a professional company this year, The Nutcracker seems to carry even more significance. Over these past three decades, so many people have become a part of the Richmond Ballet community through the experience of The Nutcracker, ? perhaps as a way of seeing dance and hearing live classical music for the first time, or perhaps as a way of creating treasured family traditions for this special time of year. We are so fortunate to have had the opportunity to be a part of Richmond holiday traditions for the past 30 years, and we are looking forward to continuing that opportunity for another 30 years, and more.?

From the opening notes of Tchaikovsky’s overture, audiences are whisked into the warm, candlelit drawing room of the Silberhaus family, buzzing with celebrations of Christmas. To the delight of the family’s young daughter, Clara, Dr. Drosselmeyer, the mysterious toymaker, and his handsome nephew arrive with a special gift, a wooden nutcracker doll that captures the girl’s imagination. As darkness falls, Dr. Drosselmeyer’s magic begins to work, setting in motion fantastical events that will fill Clara’s dreams: a battle beneath the branches of an enchanted Christmas tree, the transformation of the nutcracker doll into the young Nutcracker Prince, and a journey from a snow-covered forest to the far-off land of the Kingdom of Sweets. Since its premiere in Russia in 1892, The Nutcracker has become a treasured classic with a special place in nearly every ballet company around the world.

Clara’s Tea Party, a special event hosted by the Ballet featuring tea and sweets, will once again be a part of this year’s Nutcracker festivities. Tea party participants will have the opportunity to meet the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Snow Queen, Clara, her Nutcracker Prince and other favorite characters. The tea party will take place in Rhythm Hall at Richmond CenterStage. As per usual, Clara’s Tea Party is a separately ticketed event.

Tickets to The Nutcracker and to Clara’s Tea Party are available in person at the Richmond Ballet Box Office, by phone at 1.800.514.3849, or online at eTix.com.

The Nutcracker 2013 Performances: