“The Nutcracker” has become a holiday tradition, and is performed by countless ballet companies around the world.
“‘Nutracker,’ for ballet companies, is kind of our Super Bowl,” said Saint Louis Ballet dancer Stephen Lawrence, who plays the Cavalier in the company’s production of “The Nutcracker.”
The two-act ballet, with music written by Peter Tchaikovsky, was first performed in Russia more than 100 years ago. But it didn’t catch on until the 1960s. This year, the Saint Louis Ballet promises new special effects, including snow and pyrotechnics, as well as new choreography by director Gen Horiuchi.
“I think that’s one thing that really makes our ‘Nutcracker’ stand out,” said Lauren Lane, Saint Louis Ballet’s Sugar Plum Fairy. “There’s glitter. There’s the iconic snow that falls. And we have some new visual surprises this year, so if you come to our ‘Nutcracker’ there’s some things that you’ve never seen before, but they’re going to be pretty exciting.”
For Lane, much of “The Nutcracker” was new; this is the first time she has performed it.
“Coming in, it was weird because everyone had done ‘Nutcracker’ somewhere else and they knew the music and at least the old steps they had done,” she said. “(But) dancers always love a challenge.”
This marks Lawrence’s third round with the “Nutcracker,” including a performance with the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago.
Saint Louis Ballet’s “Nutcracker” opens on Dec. 18.
Related Event
"The Nutcracker"
- When: Dec. 18-23, 2014
- Where: Touhill Performing Arts Center at the University of Missouri–St. Louis
- More information
Sugar Plum Fairy Luncheon
- When: 12:30 p.m. Dec. 20, 22 and 23, 2014
- Where: Touhill Performing Arts Center at the University of Missouri–St. Louis
- More information
Nutcracker Dinners with an appearance by Santa Claus
- When: 5:30 p.m. Dec. 19 and 20, 2014
- Where: Touhill Performing Arts Center at the University of Missouri–St. Louis
- More information
“Cityscape” is produced by Mary Edwards and Alex Heuer and sponsored in part by the Missouri Arts Council, the Regional Arts Commission, and the Arts and Education Council of Greater St. Louis.