As the holiday season approaches, theatre groups nationwide are working hard to retell a classic Christmastime story—The Nutcracker, a traditional holiday ballet set to the music of Russian composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky. Numerous productions will be hosted in Connecticut this winter, including in Storrs-Mansfield, with dancers of all ages ready to enchant audiences. Here’s a list of some places in Connecticut where you can catch a performance of this festive show.
Mansfield Community School of the Arts, Storrs-Mansfield
Dec. 14 (6 p.m.) and Dec. 15 (1 p.m.)
The Mansfield Community School of the Arts will be presenting a family-friendly performance in partnership with Miss Kelly Productions, a local dance studio, on Dec. 14 and 15 at the Mansfield Middle School auditorium.
According to the Mansfield Parks and Recreation webpage, Miss Kelly has been directing a unique community version of the show for over 20 years. Featuring a cast consisting of over 60 local youth ages 3-18, the show features original story ideas and artistic performances. In addition to traditional ballet, elements including gymnastics, tap dancing, hip hop and theatrical singing have been seen in the past.
“Each year, we re-create a performance plan to reflect the unique cast that year, and bring out every performer’s best self,” said Bethany Burns, Mansfield recreation coordinator, in an email to the Daily Campus.
Tickets cost $15 and are available for sale at the Mansfield Community Center on South Eagleville Road. The performances will be held at the Mansfield Middle School on Spring Hill Road in Storrs-Mansfield.
There are also some professional performances of the traditional ballet, which can be seen at theatres across the state.
Eastern Connecticut Ballet, New London
Dec. 14 (1:30 and 7 p.m.) and Dec. 15 (1:30 p.m.)
Featuring a reimagining of the Nutcracker story set in 1850s New London, the Eastern Connecticut Ballet‘s version of the show will be played at the Garde Arts Center. The troupe features two guest dancers from the New York City Ballet this year.
The stage sets have been designed to appear like the historic New London Custom House, lighthouses and a whaling port, with special effects such as a flying Christmas tree, mysterious fog over a magical, moving ship and an on-stage snowstorm.
“ECB’s Nutcracker is our gift to the community during the holiday season. Many of our dancers are young men and women from throughout Eastern Connecticut; this is their moment to shine after months of practice and rehearsals,” said Lise Reardon, founder of the Eastern Connecticut Ballet, in a press statement.
Tickets range from $25 to $68 and can be purchased on the Garde Arts webpage or at their box office. The theatre is located at the corner of Huntington Street and State Street in downtown New London.
Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory and Connecticut Ballet, Hartford, Torrington, and Stamford
Hartford: Dec. 7 (12:30 and 4:30 p.m.), Dec. 8 (12:30 and 4:30 p.m.), Dec. 21 (2:00 and 6:00 p.m.) and Dec. 22 (1:00 and 5:00 p.m.)
Torrington: Dec. 14 (12:30 and 4:30 p.m.) and Dec. 15 (12:30 p.m.)
Stamford: Dec. 14 (12:30 and 4:30 p.m.) and Dec. 15 (12:30 p.m.)
Two independent ballet performance groups, the Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory and the Connecticut Ballet, will be presenting their own series of the Nutcracker at three venues here in Connecticut; the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford, the Warner Theatre in Torrington and the Palace Theatre in Stamford.
Their rendition is a traditional performance and will feature guest stars from the New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and Pennsylvania Ballet at select performances.
Tickets are available from each venue’s webpages and box offices; for Hartford performances, visit bushnell.org, for Torrington visit warnertheatre.org and for Stamford, visit palacestamford.org.
Enjoy the arts this holiday season
The ballet premiered in 1892 and has been adapted and retold as part of numerous stage shows, films and other productions, and the music and themes have been reimagined throughout history. The tale, set in 1820s Germany, begins at a Christmas Eve party, when a young girl named Clara receives a special Nutcracker doll as a gift. That night, the Nutcracker comes to life, and the two go on a journey to thwart the Mouse King — the doll turns into a handsome prince, traveling through a snowy forest to the Land of Sweets and dancing with the Sugar Plum Fairies. Performances often feature classic costumes and character pieces.
This list is not conclusive of every Nutcracker performance in Connecticut — there are many more groups and community organizations that sponsor performances in other towns, in addition to other special holiday events like concerts and shows. As University of Connecticut students wrap up the fall semester and prepare for the holidays, enjoying the arts can be a festive way to get into the spirit. Some studies also show that the fine arts can enhance social connections, enhance one’s mood and improve a community’s well-being.