The Nutcracker, a two-act ballet about a family’s Christmas celebration and a young girl’s Christmas awakening to the world and to love, has become a festive tradition for ballet fans and families. .
In Colorado, and indeed much of the world, the holiday season is synonymous with performances of the famous ballet.
Tchaikovsky’s score and Marius Petipa’s choreography were commissioned by Ivan Vsevolozhsky, director of the Imperial Theaters in Moscow, in 1891 and premiered in 1892. Western ballet companies began performing The Nutcracker in the 1940s, which makes it a Christmas favourite. Prior to the ballet’s premiere in 1892, the composer chose eight of the most popular compositions to create what is now known as the Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a. The suite became popular immediately, but the full ballet didn’t become a Christmas tradition until 100 years later.
Here’s where you can see a few in Colorado this year.
from Denver Ballet Mix
The objective of the company is to offer young dancers on their way to professional success a place of artistic expression. For The Nutcracker, talented young students from the Classical Ballet Academy perform alongside trained professionals from Ballet Melange and other companies. With costumes imported from Europe and specially designed projection designs for The Nutcracker, Ballet Melange creates a special opportunity for dancers and audience alike. Performances at the following locations.
Lakewood Cultural Center
- Friday, Nov. 18, 7 p.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 19, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
- Sunday, Nov. 20, 2 p.m.
- Glenmoor Country Club in Cherry Hills
- Wednesday, Nov. 23, 7 p.m.
Valley Country Club in Arapahoe County
- Sunday, November 27, 5:30 p.m.
Chesterton Academy
Nutcracker and Plum Tea at Pinehurst Country Club in Denver
- Saturday, December 3, time to be determined
St. Vincent de Paul in Denver
- Thursday, December 15, time to be determined
Immersive Nutcracker: A Winter Miracle in Denver
From the creators of Immersive Van Gogh, a reimagined Nutcracker will be showcased at Lighthouse ArtSpace in downtown Denver. It opens on November 19. Music by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, including such acclaimed pieces as ‘The March of the Toys’ and ‘The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy’, becomes an immersive magical holiday event with projections, special effects and a life-size nutcracker nature.
The Colorado Springs Philharmonic Orchestra presents “The Nutcracker: Short & Sweet”
This version is designed for families and lasts 60 minutes. This production features Oklahoma City Ballet and the Colorado Springs Children’s Chorale with performances Nov. 25-27 at the Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts.
Block balletNutcracker in Boulder, Longmont and Estes Park
This version introduces the Christmas season with The Nutcracker at CU’s Macky Auditorium with a cast of over 80, including the professional company and young student dancers with the Boulder Philharmonic. Tickets range from $25 to $36 for performances at the Macky Auditorium on the CU Boulder campus on Friday, Nov. 25 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 27 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $29 and up for concerts Dec. 3 and 4 at the Vance Brand Auditorium in Longmont and for performances Dec. 10 and 11 at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park.
Belliston Ballet Nutcracker production
It features students from the greater Denver area, ages eight to 18. The dancers spend over 250 hours in training, providing these young dancers with a full theatrical experience and teaching them the importance of working together. Performances run November 25-27 at DU’s Newman Center.
The Denver Conservatory of Dance“The Nutcracker of Children”
This version is a condensed version of the original Nutcracker suitable for audiences of all ages, with dancers aged 3 to 18 and colorful, upbeat animations. Tickets are $30 for performances on November 26 and 27 at the Lakewood Cultural Center.
Courtesy of Greg HughesNutcracker by the Littleton Youth Ballet
It will be performed by over 140 children, pre-professional dancers and guest artists, presented by Littleton Youth Ballet, which is Littleton’s only not-for-profit youth ballet company. Shows are Friday, Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts in Denver, followed by the Joanna Ramsey Theater at Westminster High School. Performances are Friday, December 16 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday December 17 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday December 18 at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Colorado Ballet features the largest Nutcracker production in the state
The Colorado Ballet will be accompanied by its orchestra performing Tchaikovsky’s incredible arrangement live. This is the second year that the production will feature new sets and costumes. See where the familiar story will take you this year. Performances begin November 26 and continue through December 24.
Canyon Ballet-Concert and the Fort Collins Symphony at Lincoln Center Fort Collins
This is the annual performance of the Nutcracker group. There is a Nutcracker VIP pre-show experience available starting 1.5 hours before each performance. Production runs from December 9-11.
The Nutcracker presented by Parker Arts and Denver Ballet Theater
The duo are teaming up to offer eight performances of The Nutcracker between December 15 and 20 at Parker’s PACE Center.
Centennial State Ballet Nutcracker stages
Centennial State Ballet’s 11th season is named “Strength, Elegance, Passion” in honor of the company’s anniversary. This version of The Nutcracker is performed with a live orchestra by budding professionals, academy students and special guests. Catch the show live or watch the live stream on December 17 and 18. Concert tickets at Niwot High School Auditorium cost between $22 and $30. Two hours before the start of each live broadcast, online sales will be closed. They will be accepting orders for the livestream up to half an hour after the performance begins.
Western Colorado Performing Arts Company presents The Nutcracker in Grand Junction
The young company will present the show from December 22 to 24 at the Avalon Theater in Grand Junction. The seven professional members of the company will also dance with the students.
A Colorado Nutcracker by the Colorado Ballet Society and the Colorado Youth Ballet
This performance also features the Orchester de Chambre des Sources. It takes place on December 20 and 21 at the Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts.
