The Nutcracker dazzles childrenâEUR(TM)s eyes, but it also confirms their deep suspicion that toys come to life, even when no one is looking or poking them repeatedly with cattle prods. Feel the seasonâEUR(TM)s electricity with this GrouponLive deal to see The Nutcracker, performed by the Tulsa Ballet with the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.
For $31, you get one ticket for Orchestra Level seating (up to a $62 value, including all fees). Choose from the following performances:
- Saturday, December 8, at 2 p.m.
- Sunday, December 9, at 2 p.m.
- Saturday, December 15, at 2 p.m.
- Saturday, December 15, at 7 p.m.
- Sunday, December 16, at 2 p.m.
- Saturday, December 22, at 2 p.m.
- Saturday, December 22, at 7 p.m.
- Sunday, December 23, at 2 p.m.
The Plot
Based on a novel by the 19th century romantic fabulist E.T.A. Hoffman, The Nutcracker weaves a magical tale of holiday adventure. Marie, the story's heroine, receives a nutcracker from her godfather, a wizardly toymaker named Drosselmeyer. Sneaking downstairs to see the toy after everyone else has gone to bed, Marie suddenly finds herself caught in the middle of a pitched battle between the toys and an army of mice. After saving the nutcracker with a well-thrown shoe to the Mouse King's head, Marie and her now-living prince venture into the Land of Snow to celebrate amid the dances of nimble snowflakes and seasonally confused vampires. Â
The MusicÂ
TchaikovskyâEUR(TM)s score features some of the most recognizable tunes in the repertoire, repurposed beyond the ballet world in works including Disney's Fantasia, which naturally chose to illustrate the musicâEUR(TM)s delicate beauty with dancing mushrooms and leaping radishes. Notable sections include the Waltz of the Snowflakes, which floats weightlessly above the angelic voices of a youth choir, and the second act's medley of exotic national dances, including a Spanish bolero and Russian Trepak. A music-box-like theme springs from a celesta, a new instrument Tchaikovsky came across in Paris and hurriedly inserted into the score before his musical rivals could make use of its haunting, bell-like sound.Â
Their Take
Originally developed by artistic director Marcello Angelini in 2003, Tulsa Ballet's choreography for The Nutcracker evokes the magic of 1920s Paris with stunning sets and beautiful costumes. Tweaking this year's production, Pacific Northwest Ballet choreographer Bruce Wells brings years of experience designing dances for children to the reworking of several show-stopping scenes. Augmenting the show's early Christmas party with an even larger corps of local children dancers, Wells fills the stage with tiny dancing toys, capering kids, and battles between mice and nutcrackers that teach young audiences about the follies of war. The new production will also revive the traditional "Mother Ginger" dance, an oft-skipped piece that features a towering matron and flocks of dancing children skittering in and out of her voluminous skirts.
