Last night, my husband and I bundled up a sleepy four year old and headed downtown to Richmond’s Centerstage Theater to see The Nutcracker. It had been on our calendar for weeks, and even though I’ve heard about it my entire life, I had never actually attended a performance.

We entered the theater and were greeted by the lovely Christmas sights of trees, lights, and tables of nutcrackers for purchase. My son’s eyes lit up at the one of the small nutcracker ornaments and we carried the nutcracker and our excitement to our seats.

Our attentions were immediately captured with the beautiful orchestra and we were in awe of the dancers, costumes, and set. My son was enthralled with the lights and there were scenes to capture members of the entire audience. I loved the snow forest and my son thought the mice were very silly. He really loved the dancing bear, who had the entire audience laughing.

The performance was absolutely stunning and the artistic abilities of the dancers is breathtaking.

The Nutcracker is a classic ballet piece that premiered in Russia in 1892, and this is The Richmond Ballet’s 30th year of performing this timeless piece. The story follows a young girl, Clara, who is inspired by a nutcracker gift on Christmas eve. As she falls asleep, she is taken to a dreamland and sees amazing sights such as a battle beneath the branches of an enchanted Christmas tree, the transformation of the nutcracker doll into the young Nutcracker Prince, and a journey from a snow-covered forest to the far-off land of the Kingdom of Sweets.

Heralded as “one of the country’s most perfect [Nutcracker productions]” by The New York Times, The Richmond Ballet’s performance of The Nutcracker is a must see treat. I loved being able to expose my son to classical dancing and music and enjoyed creating the first of many holiday traditions of seeing The Nutcracker.

There is a special energy to The Nutcracker this year, as The Richmond Ballet continues their 30th anniversary season and celebrates three decades of bringing the beautiful story to life in Richmond.

This year, you also have the chance to attend Clara’s Tea Party, a special event hosted by the Ballet featuring tea and sweets. Tea party participants will have the opportunity to meet the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Snow Queen, Clara, her Nutcracker Prince and other favorite characters. This is a separate ticketed event.

I was so honored to have the opportunity to make The Nutcracker part of my family’s holiday festivities this year. If you have not already seen it, there’s still time to make the magic of The Richmond Ballet’s The Nutcracker a part of your holiday season.

Tickets to The Nutcracker and to Clara’s Tea Party are available in person at the Richmond Ballet Box Office, by phone at 1.800.514.3849, or online at eTix.com.

The Nutcracker 2013 Performances:

Saturday, December 14, 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm

Sunday, December 15, 1:00 pm and 4:30 pm

Wednesday, December 18, 7:00 pm

Thursday, December 19, 7:00 pm

Friday, December 20, 7:00 pm

Saturday, December 21, 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm

Sunday, December 22, 1:00 pm and 4:30 pm

Monday, December 23, 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm

Clara’s Tea Party 2013:

Saturday, December 14, 4:00 pm

Saturday, December 21, 4:00 pm

Monday, December 23, 4:00 pm

Specific Showtimes:

Dec 19, 2014 7:00 pm
Dec 20, 2014 2:00 pm
Dec 20, 2014 7:00 pm
Dec 21, 2014 1:00 pm
Dec 21, 2014 4:30 pm
Dec 22, 2014 7:00 pm
Dec 23, 2014 2:00 pm
Dec 23, 2014 7:00 pm
Dec 26, 2014 7:00 pm
Dec 27, 2014 2:00 pm
Dec 27, 2014 7:00 pm
Dec 28, 2014 1:00 pm
Dec 28, 2014 4:30 pm

When you purchase discounted tickets to the Concert Ballet of Virginia’s The Nutcracker $2 of your purchase will got to Ashland MOPS and MOMS Next’s fundraiser to provide support for Hanover Safe Place, provide scholarships, and more.

By using the link below, you can purchase discount tickets to the Concert Ballet of Virginia’s The Nutcracker and help support a great organization, while enjoying this Christmas tradition.  Ashland MOPS/MOMSNext will earn $2 from each ticket purchased.

http://mopsandmoms.eventbrite.com/ Please check the website for events times and locations.

Richmondmom.com breaks down all of the exciting details for you here. 

Ashland MOPS and MOMS Next is combining a Christmas tradition with a wonderful cause.

When you purchase discounted tickets to the Concert Ballet of Virginia’s The Nutcracker $2 of your purchase will got to Ashland MOPS and MOMS Next’s fundraiser to provide support for Hanover Safe Place, provide scholarships, and more.
According to the MOPS & MOMS Next Facebook page, “MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) and MOMSnext (mothers of school aged children) groups believe that better moms really do make a better world! It is a safe, loving environment where moms have the opportunity to make new friends, share experiences and laugh”

Performances of The Nutcracker run from December 7th – December 22nd at various locations.
Please note times and locations when purchasing tickets.

Links

MOPS and MOMS Next
Concert Ballet of Virginia
Hanover Safe Place
Tickets

http://www.concertballet.com

True to tradition, the Concert Ballet of Virginia is once again presenting The Nutcracker during the holiday season.

Richmondmom.com readers get a special discount when purchasing tickets too. When you purchase one ticket at $24 for any show, you receive one FREE ticket.  This is fun for the entire family – or make it an early Christmas gift for someone special. That’s 2 tickets for the price of 1 to this traditional holiday show!

Here’s how it works:

1. Visit the website to purchase your “discount code tickets”.
2. When purchasing, at the bottom of the order screen, enter the special Richmondmom.com promotional code: 37Nut
3. The ticket is good for all – children, students, seniors and adults! When you use the code, you automatically receive 2 tickets for $24.
4. Seats are first come first serve basis so don’t delay!

Click here for ticket purchases and a list of dates and times of shows.

WIN BIG: in Facebook commenting below for a chance to win a family four-pack of tickets for any performance! We’ll announce the winner by 12/1/12.

Concert Ballet of Virginia is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com