A Nutcracker Life
8 years ago by
The Nutcracker has been staged in New York every year since 1954, so to say it is a time honored tradition, well, is perhaps a bit obvious. You cannot deny that George Balanchine’s production of Tschaikovsky’s ballet is not only magical, but something not to be missed in a lifetime. And so, with the holiday fast approaching, we thought we’d once more visit the New York City Ballet (all 90 dancers of the company, plus the 62 musicians, 32 stagehands and two casts of 50 students from the School of American Ballet!! as they embark on a month long journey performing a ballet that’s captivated audiences for years..
Don’t be fooled by how seamlessly smooth watching a performance might look – this is a full-scale production demanding serious heavy lifting, it’s one of the most complex, theatrically, in the ballets repertory. Take for example the one-ton Christmas tree that floats upward to a grandiose height of 40 feet, dwarfing the dancers onstage – no figment of imagination here. Or the flutter of snowflakes gently falling as the appropriately titled “Waltz of the Snowflakes” takes place – enchanting beyond belief (Erik will attest). But it would be impossible not to mention the costume of Mother Ginger, a costume that weighs in at 85 pounds and takes three people just to handle during the performance.
The Sugar Plum Fairy is perhaps the most esteemed role of the play, and so we followed along principal dancer Lauren Lovette for this performance. If her name hadn’t implied it, she is as lovely, jovial and sweet as the character she plays. She starts her day at the theatre applying her serious stage makeup (all while singing along to her iPod) and then finds her way to the hairdressers for her picture-perfect bun. Then it’s time for (what else?) ballet class, to get warmed up and stretched properly, followed by a quick spin on the electric bicycle and she’s ready to take the stage in her first costume. A lovely pale pink adorned with crystals…
It may be a story we know, but it’s the fantasy that draws you in, and will linger in your memory for years to come…
Thank you to the New York City Ballet
Words : Brie Welch | Photos: Erik Melvin
Beautiful pictures a classic show to see once in a life time ,to take the kids…
I think it’s maybe time to add some more unexpected and creative element to this classic show…
Xoxo
Yael Guetta
http://www.ftwwl.com
This is so fun!! Loved reading this article and seeing the gorgeous pictures. The overhead shot of the dancers in the full pink skirts reminds me of a Degas painting! Lovely. Thanks for writing something so unexpected. xo
What a nice suprise to find this dreamy post. I love all the details you can only catch backstage! Thank you Brie & Melvin and all GD-team members! Have a wonderful Xmas!
Beautifully done Brie!
Someday I would like to see The Nutcracker Ballet done by a prestigious organization like these guys. I also would love to see a piano concerto in Vienna :) Sophisticated arts like these are a little love of mine. I miss playing the piano.
http://www.dressupchowdown.com
I love love love love love love love love these posts of the ballet! Can we have more in a near future?
Beautiful! I just took my 10 year old granddaughter to see a local production of The Nutcracker on Sunday – put on by the Howard Country (Maryland) Ballet. She loved it – not a professional production, but still wonderful!
but oh, makes me want to go to NY during xmas, and see the ballet. Such a dreamy piece. Ive seen The Royal Danish Ballet perform in Copenhagen (my hometown) and its magical too. Thanks for sharing this and have a merry Xmas…
Love the look but the pictures is wow :)
Belles photos. Vive les tutus!!!
Grace and beauty – love those stunning posts you put together dear Brie and Eric! You made my afternoon….
Merry Christmas to you Garance and wonderful team!
Kisses!
y
Magnifique reportage et magnifiques photos (comme d’habitude !)
J’ai eu l’impression, pour quelques minutes, d’assister a ce spectacle feerique.
Merci a toute l’equipe GD et Joyeux Noel a toutes et a tous !
Bravo Garance & team, photos sublimes. Vous nous faites rêver….Audrey
Magique! Magique! Magique!!!!!!!!!!! Merci pour ces images!!!!!
Oh je suis allée le voir l’année dernière à l’Opéra Bastille et j’ai adoré! J’adore la danse classique, c’est tellement esthétique!
Tes photos sont magnifiques!!!! <3
Belle soirée
Petite and So What?
We saw the Nutcracker in NYCB and in Hong Kong, I was planning this year in London but did not make it, tickets sold out at ROH…My son is 10 now and he loves it, it became kind of tradition for our family…
Sublime sublime SUBLIME!
Merci pour ce post et cet aperçu des coulisses Brie! BRAVO Erik, les photos sont (encore une fois) SUBLIMES!
These photos are sublime! LOVE the ballet and how you’ve captured the joy of this particular one. xx
Beautiful photos! Thank you Eric and Brie!
Thank YOU Timina!
Such a wonderful photos! It makes me want to put on my own ballet shoes :) I love Nutcracker, I grew up first with a story, later I discovered the ballet and try and see it every year. In London, going to see Nutcracker is part of the holiday season. Our London production is beautiful, too :)
Ana
http://www.champagnegirlsabouttown.co.uk
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Superbe !!!
Merci pour ces images si belles.
Joyeux Noël à tout le Studio.
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most romantic ballet ever, i danced in this as a child, loved every minute! take my nieces now!
Il est génial cet article. Quelles jolies photos.
La tradition des Casse-Noisette est bien ancrée en Amérique du Nord. C’est la magie de Noël et cela nous permet de sortir d’un cynisme «anti-consommation». La production de Montréal est vraiment superbe (sans vouloir comparer avec le NY city ballet) et le chorégraphe Fernand Nault (aujourd’hui disparu) nous a légué une oeuvre qui aura bientôt 60 ans et qui tient la route. Ce qui est magique, c’est le fait d’intégrer de tout jeunes danseurs dans la grande scène d’ouverture. Ces soirées ont bercé mon enfance et j’ai eu la joie d’amener ma petite nièce alors âgée de 5 ans, il y a quelques années. C’est magique de voir toutes ces petites filles en robes endimanchées et toutes mignonnes pour aller voir les danseurs. Tant pis pour le culcul-la-praline. En tout cas, j’espère sincèrement que tu viendras voir notre version de l’oeuvre de Tchaïkovsky à Montréal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OreA1f6YA8
What a wonderful post. The photographs make my heart sing! Well done!
I love ballet photographs ! Yours are so inspiring !
https://stylishwishes.wordpress.com/
Ah comme j’aurais aimé découvrir “Nut Cracker” avec le City Ballet de NYC !!! Je me suis tellement ennuyée à celui de l’opéra Garnier la veille de Noël. C’était il y a quelques années … Déçue, tellement convenu ! J’ai découvert Lauren Lovette grâce à JR que j’adore ! Faites une interview de lui, son travail est important et essentiel !
Thank you so much for this breathtakingly beautiful post. Sheer magic, it transported me to another universe. Happy and blessed upcoming New Year to all of you! Xo
Nice.. This is something of my type. Wish to watch this live.
Féérique ! Merci pour cette vue depuis les coulisses :)
Gorgeous pictures! The one with the soloists duo and the black background is my favourite!
xx,
E.
http://www.theslowpace.com
magnifique ! merci pour ce beau reportage
verty good post
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Great post for fashion lovers.