I just watched The Nutcracker Ballet,

[elleng]

which I saw many times in NY at the NYCity Ballet. Thought I'd share.

[PJMcK]

1. Beautiful piece and performance

Thanks for the link, elleng.

This holiday season, I saw Yorkville production of "The Nutcracker" in NYC in a marvelous semi-professional presentation at Hunter College. Choreographed by Francis Patrelle, it was a lovely evening with terrific dancing, beautiful costumes and sets.

Fun fact: When Tchaikovsky premiered the work, it was not successful. The ballet was on a double bill with his opera "Iolanta" and part of the problem was that the evening went far too long for the audience's attention. Another problem is that the libretto for the ballet is confusing and un-engaging: the lopsided story often doesn't make sense. The first act rambles along confusingly. The composer's 20-minute Suite was far more successful.

It wasn't until the 1960's or so that the work became a Christmas-time staple for ballet companies. Today, many productions garner 40% of a company's annual budget from their presentations of "The Nutcracker." Personally, I like the second act more than the first as that's where most of the famous tunes are.

[elleng]

2. The Suite still is successful;

I hear it many times on my radio station.

I agree about the second act.

[TEB]

3. My wife enjoys the nutcracker as well

[Bayard]

4. I miss it

When my sister was alive, we used to go together every year.......Minneapolis, Louisville. I also saw it in Fresno. Miss it, miss her.

thanks for posting.

[lunamagica]

5. Macaulay Culking, wow!

Beautiful version of The Nutcracker. thanks for posting!!