New Traditions with the Cleveland Nutcracker

Dec 11, 2013

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I couldn’t have been more than seven or eight years old, but I remember going to the Nutcracker with my family.  Beautiful dancers, a charming story and first memories of seeing the ballet.

And now starts a new tradition.  In a few weeks, I will be taking my daughter to see the Cleveland Nutcracker.  She is my little dancer and I know she will be enchanted by the ballet.  I also know that I am destined to act out the story with her over and over again following the production.  But I will happily oblige and remember that invitations into her imagination won’t last forever.

The Nutcracker is being performed by the Ohio Dance Theatre with a special guest appearance from New York City Ballet principal, Daniel Ulbricht.  The lavish production includes a cast of 20 professional dancers, two trainees and two apprentices.  And soon to be delivered from the company’s studios in Oberlin to the Stocker Arts Center will be 102 costumes, a Christmas tree that grows to 24 feet, a staircase, cannon and many, many more props.

 

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I had the wonderful opportunity to preview several dances from the Nutcracker last weekend and I will tell, they were beautiful!  The costumes were stunning and the dancers, just amazing.  I chatted with several of the ballerinas afterward and heard about their passion for dance and sharing the arts with others. I heard about when they first started dancing, the different places they’ve studied and performed and even about their dedicated schedules.  I was impressed by the quality of the women I met.  If this is any indication of the rest of the company, what a wonderful group of dancers!

 

Special thanks to Denise Gula, Artistic Director and Megan Cain, General Manager for a wonderful evening.  And more thanks to the sponsors of the Social Media Event:  Paper Moon Vineyards, Pink Peppercorn Catering and Wicked Wax & Willow Candles.

 

To learn more about the Cleveland Nutcracker or to purchase tickets, visit their site here or call (440) 366-4040.  See you at the ballet!

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3 Comments

  1. Carly
    Carly on December 13, 2013 at 2:18 am

    I love the Nutcracker! I also love your blog and wanted to share with you that I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. If you’re interested at all in participating you can read a bit of how it works on my blog: http://africatoamerica.org/2013/12/13/versatile-blogger-award/ Merry Christmas!

  2. Tonya {The Traveling Praters}
    Tonya {The Traveling Praters} on December 13, 2013 at 2:35 pm

    Awww….your daughter is going to love seeing the Nutcracker! I remember the first time I took my kids- they all loved it and I’m looking forward to watching it again this year.

    • Kristen
      Kristen on December 13, 2013 at 2:48 pm

      Thanks Tonya! I think she is just going to love it! Have a wonderful time with your family. 🙂