IMG_1490
A scene from Metropolitan Ballet Theatre’s “The Nutcracker.”
Since the late 1960s, “The Nutcracker” has been among the American holiday season’s most popular entertainment offerings. The abundance will be reflected on Montgomery County stages this year, with a total of 39 shows–four different full productions, three traditional and one not at all, as well as three mini versions, two of them tailored for tots.
The two-act ballet, originally choreographed by Marium Petipa and Lev Ivanov with a score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, premiered at the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on Sunday, Dec.18, 1892. Its libretto was adapted from the E.T.A. Hoffmann story, “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King,” via Alexandre Dumas’ adapted story, “The Nutcracker.”
With so many close-to-home options, everyone can take advantage of witnessing the spectacle of its heroine Clara, her magician godfather, a battle between mice and toy soldiers, dancing snowflakes, the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Land of the Sweets, all to Tchaikovsky’s amazing music.
Artistic Director & Choreographer: Jacqueline Akhmedova
Date: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16
Location: Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center, 7995 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring
Ticket Price: $20, $15 senior & student, $10 group of 10-plus
Purchase Tickets: https://akhmedovaballetnutcrackernight.eventbrite.com
Information: www.akhmedovaballet.org, 301-602-8222
About: “Nutcracker Night” is a “mini Nutcracker,” presenting the most famous dances. The second act is a compilation of classical, contemporary and character dance.
How many dancers? Level of proficiency? 15 dancers, ages 11 to 19. All are pre-professional students who train for three to five hours every day.
Years presented: 4
What’s new? Every year, we try to add new fresh ideas, choreography, props and costumes. We also bring this “Nutcracker” to many senior facilities as these seniors can often not attend our shows.
Who is it for? It is a great show for all ages, for audiences new to ballet and for educated ballet lovers.
Artistic Director: Michelle Lees
Dates: 7 p.m. Fridays, Dec. 15 & 22; 1 & 5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 16 & 23, Sunday, Dec. 17 & Tuesday, Dec. 26
Location: Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center Montgomery College, 51 Mannakee St., Rockville
Ticket Price: In advance: $31, $26 child & senior; at the door: $38, $33 child & senior
Tickets & Information: www.marylandyouthballet.org, 301-608-2232
About: Our “Nutcracker” is the only professional production done completely by students. All leading roles are danced by MYB’s top-level students.
How many dancers? Level of proficiency? We have 102 student dancers ranging in age from 11 to 76. MYB students are cast in “The Nutcracker” beginning at our Prep for Pointe level. Professional proficiency from the higher levels, and well-trained students from the lower levels.
Years presented: This will be our 28th season presenting the full-length “Nutcracker.”
What’s new? Over the years, we have made improvements to the scenery and costumes, but the quality and professional proficiency of the dancers for which MYB is known remains the same.
Who is it for? Any audience who enjoys fine entertaining performances. All ages.
Dates: 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. Dec. 9 and 10
Location: Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center, 7995 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring
Ticket Price: In advance: $23, $18 children; At the door $25, $20 children
Tickets & Information: www.marylandyouthballet.org, 301-608-2232
About: “The Mini-Nut” is a delightful abbreviated version of our classic “The Nutcracker,” designed to introduce children to the magic of this family favorite. It’s only 55 minutes!
How many dancers? We have 61 student dancers ranging in age from 10 to 18. Cast members are from MYB’s full-length “Nutcracker” production.
Years presented: This will be our eighth season presenting “The Mini-Nut.”
Who is it for? “The Mini-Nut” is designed for young children (and their parents) who want the magic of “The Nutcracker” in a condensed child-friendly version.
Artistic Director, Lead Choreographer & Principal Dancer: Eleanor R. Simpson
Assistant Director & Creative Associate: Erin Kwong
Dates: 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 & 9; 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3 & 10
Location: F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville
Ticket Price: $17, $13 children & seniors
Tickets & Information: www.rockvillemd.gov/theatre, 240-314-8690
About: The RCB is committed to encouraging diversity in many aspects. One thing that makes “The Nutcracker” so enjoyable to perform time and time again is that there are so many stories to tell through Clara’s journey to the Land of the Sweets. From having a richness of diversity in dancer experiences, we find different ways to make “The Nutcracker” novel and true each year.
How many dancers? Level of proficiency? The cast is more than 75 dancers strong. The RCB is committed to making ballet accessible for anyone with an interest and a willingness to work hard. Onstage you will see dancers from 7 years old to dancers in their 70s. All our dancers are skilled, whether near beginners or advanced, and “The Nutcracker” is cast to best show them off.
Years presented: The RCB began performing “The Nutcracker” in 1975; this will be our 43rd production of the title.
What’s new? When we began, the set was minimal and the cast was very small, made up mostly of the then-director Claudia Mangan’s family and friends. Since then, the production has only grown in scale and quality. Every year, we reshape the pieces to find what best suits our dancers and what we want to communicate.
Who is it for? Everyone is welcome to come see us! Our production is very family-friendly, and we hope people of all ages and backgrounds will love seeing Clara on her magical journey.
Artistic Director: Elizabeth Odell Catlett
Assistant Artistic Director: Katerina Rodggard
Dates: Dec 1-10, 7:30 p.m. Fridays, noon & 4 p.m. Saturdays, 1 & 5 p.m. Sundays
Location: Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center, Montgomery College, 51 Mannakee St., Rockville
Ticket Price: In advance: $23, $19 children/students/seniors; at the door: all tickets $26
Tickets & Information: www.mbtdance.org, 301-762-1757
How many dancers? Level of proficiency? 130 cast members as young as 7. Cast members include adult professional dancers, student dancers at all levels of MBT’s Academy including pre-professional students, as well as adults who enjoy performing and volunteer their time,
Years presented: MBT has been producing a full-length traditional production of “The Nutcracker” since 1989. All 29 years have been presented at Montgomery College’s Parilla Performing Arts Center.
What’s new? A portion of the choreography and staging is changed each year to keep the tradition exciting and fresh for audiences. Over the years, the choreography has become more intricate and creative. There are some new set pieces and costumes, handmade by MBT’s team of volunteer costumers.
About: This year’s celebrity guest Mother Gingers are leaders in the county’s arts arena and highlight the creativity and vibrancy of arts education in the county: Eliot Pfanstiehl (CEO, Strathmore), Michael J. Bobbitt (Artistic Director, Adventure Theatre), Tony Spearman-Leach (Director, Montgomery Community Media) Gazelle Hashemian (Blue Flower, arts supporter at Holton Arms) and Jacqueline Manger (Board of Directors, Adventure Theatre). A portion of ticket sales to their performances will be given back to arts programming at their organizations.
After four of the10 performances, MBT staff and cast engage the audience in “Patch Chats” that are geared to girl scouts and other young students. Participants learn about the history of “The Nutcracker” ballet and composition, meet some of the cast, ask questions and have a short photos/autograph session. MBT designs a new commemorative patch each year for girl scouts and others interested in collecting. This year’s patch features Clara and her Nutcracker doll.
Who is it for? “The Nutcracker” is perfect for a date night, a family outing, a special day out with grandparents, or a girl scout troop or youth group field trip.
Dates: Dec 16-17, Saturday and Sunday, noon & 4 p.m.
Location: MBT Black Box Theater at Metropolitan Ballet Theatre, 220 Perry Parkway, Gaithersburg
Ticket Price: $18, limited tickets available
Tickets & Information: www.mbtdance.org, 301-762-1757
About: Geared to young audiences, and performed in the intimate 60-seat MBT Black Box Theater, audience members can get much closer to the dancers than at our larger production, and can meet the cast after the performance. This performance runs less than 45 minutes with no intermission.
How many cast members? Level of proficiency? All 37 cast members are upper level and pre-professional students in MBT’s Academic Ballet Program.
Years Presented: Inaugural show
Who is it for? The Nutcracker Suite” is directed at slightly younger audiences, enabling little ones to get closer to the dancers.
Choreographer: Jennifer Weber
Dates: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 & 13 – These performances are currently sold out
Location: The Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda
Ticket Price: $28-$58
Tickets & Information: 301-581-5100, www.strathmore.org
About: “The Hip Hop Nutcracker” translates Tchaikovsky’s score into the language of hip-hop dance. A dozen all-star dancers, an on-stage DJ, an electric violinist and digital scenery bring the traditional story to life in present-day New York City, where all the classic characters are re-imagined. At its core, “The Hip Hop Nutcracker is a story about love, community, using art to inspire and the magic of the holiday season.
How many dancers? Level of proficiency? There are 12 dancers in the cast, mostly in their mid-20s. They are all Los Angeles-based professional dancers. Members of the cast have performed with Madonna, JLo, Gwen Stefani and Pharrell.
Years presented: This is the tour’s third year.
What’s new? Every year, we make updates to our choreography and add new elements. Hip hop is constantly changing and so we change as well.
Who is it for? This is a show for everyone. It is great for families, people who love hip hop, people who love the Tchaikovsky score and anyone looking for a new holiday tradition.