Charlotte, N.C. – North Carolina Dance Theatre presents Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux’s Nutcracker live with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. Led by the professional dancers of North Carolina Dance Theatre and NC Dance Theatre 2, Nutcracker’s cast also includes 120 students from the community, many of whom train at NC Dance Theatre School of Dance.

Sponsored by Levine Children’s Hospital, this annual production draws thousands to the Belk Theater each holiday season. The Nutcracker journey begins at a cheerful holiday party, where the mysterious Herr Drosselmeyer entertains guests and presents young Clara with an extraordinary Nutcracker doll. After a ferocious battle with the Mouse King, the Nutcracker comes to life and takes Clara on a journey to the glittering Land of Snow and the majestic Land of Sweets. 

Steven Brown from The Charlotte Observer wrote, “If you want to see the full-blown Nutcracker, this is the one.” Two semi-trailer trucks are required to transport Nutcracker’s props and equipment to the Belk Theater. Audiences of all ages enjoy the Nutcracker spectacle, which includes a flying walnut shell, a growing Christmas tree, 165 costumes, 200 pounds of “snow” and 250 pounds of dry ice.

Nutcracker’s timeless tale takes audiences on a journey filled with wonder, magic and holiday cheer, and is an excellent way to introduce children to the wonderment of classical dance. Tickets start at $20 and may be purchased at 704.372.1000, ncdance.org and the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center Box Office.

Young Dancers Shine in Nutcracker

Nutcracker is portrayed through the eyes of a young and talented Clara. This year three dancers, Ellie Frith, Kira Greer Rice and Allie Parsons, take turns performing the role. Frith, a thirteen-year-old Alexander Graham Middle School eighth grader, will perform the role of Clara for the second year. This past summer she studied at the School of American Ballet in New York City. Greer Rice, 14, from Spartanburg, S.C., began training at the NC Dance Theatre School of Dance last year, and this is her first year as Clara. This is also Parsons first year performing Clara with NC Dance Theatre, although she previously performed as Clara with Radio City Music Hall in New York City and Carolina Ballet in Raleigh, N.C. Parsons lives in Elkin, N.C.

Tyler Haritan, 12, will perform the role of Clara’s mischievous brother, Fritz, for the second year. Haritan is a seventh grader at Cannon School in Concord, N.C.

Nutcracker Details  

History of Nutcracker

The first performance of the Nutcracker was December 6-18, 1892, at the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg, Russia. The ballet was conducted by Riccardo Drigo and choreographed by Lev Ivanov. The premiere had limited success.

The current popularity of the Nutcracker is due in part to Willam Christensen, former Ballet master of the San Francisco Ballet. Christensen imported the Nutcracker to the United States in 1944. George Balanchine decided to choreograph his own version for the New York City Ballet in 1954, and since then the Nutcracker has become a winter tradition in the United States.

The Nutcracker Story

Nutcracker might well be called Clara’s Dreams—a little girl’s colorful dreams spring to life from the excitement and splendor of a holiday party.

The story begins on a crisp winter’s evening at the home of Clara’s parents, where close family and friends have gathered to celebrate a joyous holiday season. At the height of the evening’s festivities, Clara’s favorite uncle Herr Drosselmeyer arrives with his nephew, bearing glorious gifts for everyone at the party. Clara is presented with a wonderful Nutcracker doll, which Fritz, her mischievous brother, ends up breaking as he goes about teasing all the girls in attendance. Herr Drosselmeyer saves the day by mending the doll for Clara.

After the party, the tired young Clara falls fast asleep and Herr Drosselmeyer uses enchantment to guide her through a series of vivid dreams. The Mouse King arrives on the scene and attempts to kidnap Clara; but with the help of Drosselmeyer’s magic, the beloved Nutcracker doll comes to life as a handsome Prince who battles the Mouse King, ultimately saving Clara from an unhappy fate. The Nutcracker Prince then transports Clara to the glittering Land of Snow, where they meet the Snow King and Queen.

Again, with Drosselmeyer’s magic, Clara and the Nutcracker Prince are transported to the Land of Sweets in an enchanted walnut boat where they are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy and the sweets of the kingdom. The Sugar Plum Fairy entertains Clara with dancing sweets including: Chocolate, a Spanish dance; Tiramisu, a Neapolitan dance; Tea, a Chinese dance; Coffee, an Arabian dance; and Candy Cane, a Russian dance. They are also delighted with performances from the Marzipan Shepherdesses, a quite large Mother Ginger and the beautiful Waltz of the Flowers. The Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier perform a final dance for Clara and the Nutcracker Prince before the sweets of the kingdom wave goodbye to Clara as she departs in her enchanted boat.

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North Carolina Dance Theatre has established itself as one of America’s premier dance companies. Led by internationally acclaimed President and Artistic Director Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, NC Dance Theatre is based on strong dancers, high energy and a versatile repertoire that ranges from classical ballet to bold contemporary works. NC Dance Theatre School of Dance parallels the professional company’s tradition of excellence.

North Carolina Dance Theatre broke ground on its new 34,000 square foot facility, the Patricia McBride and Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux Center for Dance, in April 2009. Located at 701 North Tryon Street, the facility will house the Company’s rehearsal and administrative spaces, School of Dance and costume shop. NC Dance Theatre expects to move into the Patricia McBride and Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux Center for Dance in spring 2010, with a grand opening scheduled for fall 2010.     

North Carolina Dance Theatre is supported, in part, with operating support by the Arts & Science Council. Dance Theatre is also supported by individuals, corporations, and local and national foundations, the North Carolina Arts Council, ArtsTeach, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

This project is supported in part by an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act award from the National Endowment for the Arts and by the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources.

For more information visit ncdance.org.