The Nutcracker Ballet to be performed at RU
| Published 11/19/04

Graphic by: Doni Neel

The holidays are fast approaching, and RU is bringing some classic Christmas spirit when the RU Dance Department puts on the famous holiday ballet, The Nutcracker. The Nutcracker will be presented on Dec. 10 at 8 p.m., Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Dec. 12 at 2 p.m.

Tickets went on sale on Nov. 16 to the RU community only, and reserved seating is available. The Nutcracker is free for students with your RU ID, along with faculty and staff. Family members of faculty and staff will be able to get in for $4, the general public $8, and children 12 and under will get in for $4. The ticket box will be closed during Thanksgiving break, but tickets will resume being sold in Heth Hall on Monday, Nov. 29. This is when tickets will be made available to the general public.

The story of The Nutcracker is based on a young German girl who receives a life size Nutcracker doll from her godfather. Later Clara, the young girl, dreams of a Nutcracker Prince on Christmas Eve. With twists and turns, the young girl also battles a Mouse King and his army. The original version was written by E.T.A. Hoffman, now with many versions but with generally the same plot. Throughout the ballet, the scenery becomes imaginative with many different types of costumes and backgrounds. Due to the fact that the majority of the ballet is a dream, a dream like setting was necessary.

The Nutcracker was first performed in 1892 in Russia, making its way to Western Europe by the 1930's. Coming to America in the 1940's, it has since become a key part of the holiday season.