Performances of “The Nutcracker” can be found almost any weekend in December in towns across America.
Set to Tchaikovsky’s famous score, “The Nutcracker” is about a girl named Clara who is given a nutcracker doll at a Christmas Eve party. She falls asleep with it in her arms under the Christmas tree and when the clock strikes midnight, the Nutcracker comes to life and battles the evil Mouse King.
As Clara helps defeat the mouse, the Nutcracker turns into a prince and leads her in to the Land of Snow, where they are greeted by dancing snowflakes. They meet the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Land of Sweets, where they are rewarded with several dances that represent sweets; including the Arabian Dance, the Mirliton Dance and the Waltz of Flowers. The Sugar Plum Fairy and the Cavalier dance a final Pas De Deux and Clara awakens.
Go beyond
Funnily enough, you won’t even see a nutcracker in Ballet 5:8’s Christmastime performance of the holiday classic.
Theirs is called “Beyond the Nutcracker” and it’s being performed Dec. 17-18 at Lincoln-Way East High School in Frankfort.
There’s not even a Clara, said Julianna Rubio Slager, artistic director at Ballet 5:8 in Orland Park. Instead, our heroine is Emma, a little girl growing up and experiencing Christmas in the shadow of World War II.
Another important change in Ballet 5:8’s version is the re-choreography of one of the traditional variations, she said.
“In the ballet circle, there’s been a really big push to make sure when we’re using cultural pieces that we’re steering clear of appropriation,” she said. “So one of the traditional dances that sometimes include more stereotypes than we realize as a dance community is the Chinese variation.”
To that end, she researched Chinese culture and what symbols were important and discovered that the lotus flower symbolizes hope and new life, she said. The motif will symbolize the hope and joy of Christmas.
Another change she made was incorporating Chicago into the story. The original story of “The Nutcracker” never mentions America, she said.
“In our version, we choreographed a piece about the United States that’s really fun and fast-paced and set against the backdrop of Chicago. It’s a really neat and beautiful piece that I think showcases the best of the American spirit and the joy and excitement of people coming to this country searching for a new life.”
Before you clutch your pearls, know that Tchaikovsky’s music is still in the show, with the dancing serving to spotlight the childlike wonderment of the Christmas season, she said.
“It has a very heartwarming message and I think people will enjoy relating to Emma and all her adventures in the show,” she said.
There’s still a battle scene and Emma will still visit other countries around the world.
“I think it holds onto the best of what the traditional ‘Nutcracker’ gives,” she said. “The story of the original ‘Nutcracker’ — it’s a little bit strange and confusing and the pieces of it don’t always align and make sense. I think what’s fun about this one is it takes you on a journey and story that’s very relatable.”
There are more than 300 dancers in the cast; including professional dancers in lead roles, studio company dancers and a huge children’s cast that pulls from 33 different towns, she said.
For many families, finding an affordable production of “The Nutcracker” is very important, she said, and she thinks Ballet 5:8’s “Beyond the Nutcracker” fits the bill.
“You get the full impact of a professional production alongside beautiful dancing.”
Salt Creek Ballet
Erica De La O, artistic director at Salt Creek Ballet in Westmont, said that Salt Creek also altered the Chinese dance last year to avoid cultural appropriation.
“The choreography was changed to be more respectful to the culture,” she said. “The ballet world is beginning to take leadership … and get away from misrepresenting the culture.”
Theirs is a traditional production of “The Nutcracker” and will feature guest dancers in several roles. It will be performed Dec. 17-18 at the McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn.
At the McAninch Arts Center, the ballet will be performed backed by the New Philharmonic playing Tchaikovsky’s beautiful score.
“It’s wonderful. Live music goes hand-in-hand with ballet,” she said of dancing with a live orchestra.
Over the years, “The Nutcracker” has become a tradition for American families, De La O said.
“I think it’s the story and the music. It gets people in the Christmas mode,” she said. The story … is everlasting. It resonates over the years. Some art just lasts. It’s the music and the heart and the message in the storyline. It’s a special story with beautiful music and it touches the heart. I think people will walk out inspired.”
Here are other productions of “The Nutcracker” happening this December.
“The Nutcracker” presented by M3 Dance: 12 and 5 p.m. Dec. 3 and 12 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Tickets are $30-$40. 847-931-5900; m3nutcracker.com.
Director and choreographer Lauren Blane puts a twist on this classic tale by infusing elements of contemporary dance, jazz and tumbling into the traditional ballet. There is a Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 3.
Elise Flagg Academy of Dance presents “The Naperville Nutcracker”: 7 p.m. Dec. 9, 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 10 and 1 p.m. Dec. 11 at North Central College’s Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville. Tickets are $27-$37. 630-637-7469; finearts.northcentralcollege.edu.
The annual production features gorgeous costumes and sets and dancers bringing Tchaikovsky’s score to life.
North Shore School of Dance presents “The Nutcracker”: 3 p.m. Dec. 10-11 at the Cressey Center, Lake Forest Academy, 1500 W. Kennedy Road, Lake Forest. Tickets are $25. 847-432-2060; northshoredance.com/nutcracker.
The hourlong ballet is appropriate for children and a portion of the proceeds are donated to local charities.
Engage Dance Theatre presents “The Nutcracker”: 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 17-18 at The Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Tickets are $18-$30. 815-356-9212; rauecenter.org.
This annual holiday tradition features more than 100 performers and guest dancers and adds new characters.
Ruth Page Civic Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”: 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 17 at the College of Lake County James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. Tickets are $15-$25. 847-543-2300; jlcenter.clcillinois.edu/professional-series.
This production features choreography by Ruth Page herself performed by the elite company along with international guest artists.
Salt Creek Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” with New Philharmonic: 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 17 and 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 18 at the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Tickets are $36-$46. 630-942-4000; atthemac.org.
See Salt Creek Ballet’s lavish production features live accompaniment by New Philharmonic.
Ballet 5:8 presents “Beyond the Nutcracker”: 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 17 and 3 p.m. Dec. 18 at Lincoln-Way East High School Performing Arts Center, 201 Colorado Ave., Frankfort. 708-329-8773; school.ballet58.org.
“Beyond the Nutcracker” features local dancers and guest artists set to the renowned Tchaikovsky score.
Dancenter North presents “The Magic of the Nutcracker”: 6:30 p.m. Dec. 21-22 at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Tickets are $18-$40. 847-263-6300; geneseetheatre.com.
The 34th anniversary performance of Dancenter North’s large-scale production, “The Magic of the Nutcracker,” features more 100 performers.
Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.