With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
The Enduring Appeal Of 'The Nutcracker' And Where You Can Watch The Christmas Perennial This Holiday Season
Dancers from the Royal Ballet perform a dress rehersal of "The Nutcracker" by Tchaikovsky at the Royal Opera House in London in 2005, ahead of the Christmas season.
(
JOHN D MCHUGH/AFP via Getty Images
/
AFP
)
On Christmas eve, a girl is taken to a magical world where toy soldiers battle a mouse army in a candy winterland ruled by a sugar plum fairy.
That’s the story at the center of the The Nutcracker ballet performed in myriad ways to the music of Tchaikovsky.
The Nutcracker debuted in Moscow in 1882 but it wasn’t until the 1940’s and 50’s when American stagings gained popular attention. From there, renditions of the classic took off and quickly became a holiday season tradition.
“There's a nostalgic aspect to 'The Nutcracker,'” said Jackie Kopcsak, assistant dean at the Gloria Kaufman School of Dance at USC . “If you were taken to The Nutcracker as a young person, you want to share that experience as you grow older with the young people in your life.”
Support for LAist comes from
The ballet remains both an audience favorite but also a tentpole for the industry.
“Many dance companies in North America are still dependent on Nutcracker revenue to fund the rest of their seasons,” said Kopcsak.
Where you can see The Nutcracker in person:
- Ballet Repertory Theatre at Golden West College’s Main Stage Theater, Dec. 24
- American Contemporary Ballet, Dec. 24
- Los Angeles Ballet at Dolby Theatre, Dec. 24 and Dec. 26
- Degas Dance Studio at Plaza De Oro Shopping Center, Dec. 26
Where to stream The Nutcracker from home:
- George Balanchine’s 1993 New York City Ballet (with a young Macaulay Culkin)
- The Nutcracker Ballet with Mikhail Baryshnikov 1977 full movie
- 2007 - San Francisco Ballet
- Mark Morris Dance Group: The Hard Nut (part 1)
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The Newport Beach City Council approved a new artificial surf park that will replace part of an aging golf course. -
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits. -
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high. -
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol. -
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails. -
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight.
Best of LAist