Ballet West presents its 50th anniversary production of William Christensen’s “The Nutcracker” this month in 25 performances at the Capitol Theatre.
This particular version of “The Nutcracker” has history rooted in the U. The production first premiered in Utah on the U campus at Kingsbury Hall in 1955.
Christensen, founder of Ballet West, is not only known as the first American to choreograph a full-length version of the ballet, but is nationally recognized for establishing the first ballet department in an American university at the U in 1951.
The story of “The Nutcracker” is based on a holiday fairy tale by E.T.A. Hoffmann, in which a little girl named Clara receives a magical nutcracker from her uncle. The nutcracker comes to life and transports her to the dream world of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
The ballet is set to the famous score from Tchaikovsky and will be performed by the Utah Chamber Orchestra.
Ballet West first originated as Salt Lake City’s only professional company in 1963 under the name Utah Civic Ballet. Since then, the company has performed more than 100 works, more than 20 of which were recent additions since the appointment of its new artistic director, Jonas Kge, in 1997.
The company is currently made up of 35 dancers and has toured throughout the world, most recently gaining international acclaim by headlining Scotland’s invitation-only Edinburgh International Festival in late 2004.
Ballet West will hold 7 p.m. performances of “The Nutcracker” Dec. 9-10, 13-17, 20-23, 26 and 28-30. Matinee performances will be Dec. 10-11, 17-18, 22-23, 26 and 31 at 2 p.m. Two matinees will be held Dec. 24 at 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
On-stage children’s Sugar Plum Parties, featuring ballet characters, refreshments and treats, will be held following each matinee, with the exclusion of those on Dec. 24 and 31.
Ticket prices range from $17 to $65 and are available through ArtTix at 355-ARTS and www.arttix.org or through the Capitol Theatre ticket office. Tickets for the Sugar Plum Parties are $5 and also can be purchased through ArtTix and Capitol Theatre.