Lani Hansen/Senior Reporter
TULSA, Oklahoma– Tulsa Ballet has performed multiple versions of “The Nutcracker” for the past 50 years. This year will be a brand new version, with new costumes, sets and choreography with moving sets and projections.
According to Tulsa Ballet’s press release, Marcello Angelini’s “The Nutcracker” will take audiences back to the original setting of early nineteenth century Germany for the magical journey with young Marie as she follows her Nutcracker Prince through the Land of Snow to the Kingdom of Sweets. This year’s choreography is by world-renowned choreographers Val Caniparoli and Ma Cong, both previous Resident Choreographers of Tulsa Ballet.
This year’s Nutcracker will be a very special production after coming back from missing last year due to the pandemic.
“Across the nation all the Nutcracker’s had been cancelled,” Caniparoli said about last year’s shows. “It’ll be extra special because it’s a brand new production. The public will see something more traditional this year, and it’s going to start a new tradition of watching Nutcracker in a different way.”
After missing last year, Caniparoli believes people are ready to be entertained and be in theatres again. Tulsa Ballet dancers are excited to be performing in front of a normal number of audiences.
“The most exciting thing about this new Nutcracker, it’s a true Christmas gift to every single child and family,” Cong said. “We really follow the tradition in the storyline of The Nutcracker, but did a little bit of innovation to it.”
“The story of the Nutcracker is following the soul of the holiday, which is very loving, inspiring and uplifting story that will bring everyone together,” Cong added.
This year’s production brings over 50 dancers and a cast of nearly 100 local children. Australian designer Tracy Grant Lord built the new sets and costumes for this year in New Zealand, with assistance from costume shops all over the country and extra hands from Tulsa Ballet wardrobe department.
“The Nutcracker” World Premiere will be showing December 10-19 at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.
Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased at: tulsaballet.org.
