Staff Reports | Happenings & Events
Ballet Arizona will present “The Nutcracker,” choreographed by Artistic Director Emeritus Ib Andersen, through Dec. 27 at Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second St., in downtown Phoenix.
The production includes 18 afternoon and evening performances with live music by The Phoenix Symphony.
According to a press release, Ballet Arizona has added three performances this season, including its first sensory-friendly adaptation.
“The Nutcracker” follows Clara, a young girl who receives a wooden nutcracker on Christmas Eve. Through a series of magical events, she joins the Nutcracker Prince in a battle against the Mouse King and journeys through the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets, meeting the Snow Queen and her dancers along the way.
“The Nutcracker is more than a holiday tradition; it is a celebration of imagination, wonder, and the joy of live performance,” said Ballet Arizona Artistic Director Daniela Cardim. “We strive to bring fresh energy and artistry to this timeless classic each year and are thrilled to share its magic with audiences of all ages this season.”
In 2013, The New York Times senior dance critic Alastair Macaulay called Andersen’s version “one of the three finest productions” among nearly 20 he attended nationwide. Ballet Arizona created the production in 2006 at a cost of $1.8 million.
