Take The Kids to See A Magical Performance of ‘The Nutcracker’ This Season

It’s the season of holiday traditions: from baking cookies and making gingerbread houses to taking in some Christmas lights and seeing a holiday classic on stage. One of our favorite theater traditions this time of year is taking the kids to see “The Nutcracker.” The classic story of Clara falling asleep on Christmas Eve and dreaming of the Nutcracker Prince, the Mouse King and Sugarplum Fairies comes to life each year at theaters throughout NJ with gorgeous sets, incredible ballet dancing and beautiful music.

We had a chance to preview the American Repertory Ballet’s version of The Nutcracker at McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton. The kids and young adults who danced across the stage did so with beauty and grace. The backdrops were spectacular, too.  The music was recorded and every ballerina was perfectly in step with the beat.

This version had two acts that were about 40 minutes each: the first centered around Clara‘s dream with the dancing toys and an outstanding performance of The March of the Toy Soldiers. After a 15-minute intermission, there were individual choreographed ballet performances. Our favorite was the Candy Cane scene during Act II, where a young man uses a hula hoop to leap, jump and dance across the stage.

It was especially sweet to see so many kids in the audience dressed up for the occasion with beautiful Christmas dresses and tiaras. American Repertory Ballet will perform the Christmas classic throughout the month at various locations.

There are different versions of “The Nutcracker” you can get tickets for. Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown brings the New Jersey Ballet company to the stage, accompanied by the New Jersey Symphony orchestra. Roxey Ballet Company in New Hope, PA, (across the bridge from Lambertville) offers a children’s matinee and a sensory-friendly version so that audience members with light and sound sensitivity can enjoy the show in a more relaxed environment. The Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts in Toms River has a production especially suited for young audiences. The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine visits NJPAC in Newark for their performance. MC Curtis Blow puts on a hip-hop version with New York-style dance at several theaters. Or, you could head to Lincoln Center in NYC for George Balanchine’s traditional, two-hour program.

For other theaters across New Jersey that are hosting ballet companies, check out our schedule of Nutcracker performances.

Read More:
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