Tchaikovsky's the Nutcracker ballet is the only ballet many people have seen. And it is one of the only ballets people can drag men to in the name of Christmas. Why? Maybe because it is a ballet full of beautiful costumes, familiar music, and a story line that lacks flighty interpretive dance. Sorry Twyla Tharp. Plus kids love the Nutcracker and many of them dream of one day dancing Clara in it. What they don't realize is 99.9% of people with that dream (myself included) will never see is fulfilled. But hey, it never hurts to aim high. :-)For dance studios and small ballet companies, dancing in the Nutcracker is a rite of passage. It shows that I am good enough to dance in a program people (who are not just in my family) will pay to see. While for many professionals it is something they do year after year and could probably dance a half a dozen of the roles in their sleep. For many, it is stale and is simply something to get through. But secretly, I think every pro ballerina can think back to the day when she dreamed of dancing Clara or he wanted to be the Nutcracker prince or that wily Mouse King.
The Nutcracker still holds a special place in out hearts even to those men who are dragged along only to examen the ceiling. I would say it is the most dreaded and enjoyed ballet of all time. It symbolizes the holidays are upon us, the dreams of children, and a ballet made for the people. So get out your tutu and tiara and enjoy.
