I was provided three tickets to the The Nutcracker by The Richmond Ballet. All opinions are my own.
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
