Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre brings Pittsburgh to life this holiday season with its rendition of the magical family favorite, The Nutcracker. Set to the charming Tchaikovsky score, this enchanting holiday tale of Marie and her Nutcracker Prince will captivate children of all ages as Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre takes the stage for performances, December 2-23, at the Benedum Center.
Recognized as one of the most popular ballets of all time, The Nutcracker is a timeless holiday classic based on the German tale written by E.T.A. Hoffman. Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre has performed The Nutcracker every year since 1969. Beginning in 2002, PBT Artistic Director Terrence S. Orr took this classic and transformed the storyline into a turn-of-the-century Pittsburgh experience.
Orr’s creation of The Nutcracker honors the rich traditions and culture of Pittsburgh in the beginning of the 20th century. With the help of theatrical designer Zach Brown, the Pittsburgh connection is brought to life by way of relics from Pittsburgh’s past. Act I is set in Shadyside at the Stahlbaum house, rendered after F.W. McKee’s mansion on Fifth Avenue. Additionally, Act I features a Heinz delivery truck; a proscenium clock, inspired by the famous Kaufmann’s Clock on Kaufmann’s Department Store; and Kaufmann’s Christmas Stories for Boys and Girls, a Kaufmann’s Department Store Christmas storybook. In the famous Snow scene at the end of the first act, Marie and her Nutcracker Prince journey through the snow as an artistic rendering of the stunning Mount Washington view serves as a backdrop.
Act II also features unique alterations to the original second act of The Nutcracker, as Terrence S. Orr has added a variety of energetic characters to make the Land of Enchantment a more child-friendly atmosphere. The Pittsburgh theme continues into Act II by way of the Land of Enchantment Carousel, representing the elaborate carousels at several famous amusement parks in the Pittsburgh region. The second act is full of brilliant performances including the exuberant Russian trepak, the exotic Arabian dance and culminating in the beautiful and elegant Grand Pas de Deux danced by the Sugarplum Fairy and her Cavalier.
For patrons who make PBT’s The Nutcracker a yearly tradition, there will be some exciting new changes this year. Things to look forward to would be a new variation on some of Drosselmeyer’s magic tricks as well as new choreography for Marie and the Prince, the Snowflakes, the Aviary and Shepherdesses.
Audience Enrichment Programs
Know Before You Go! At the Carnegie Library Main Branch in Oakland, Saturday November 12, 2011, 2:00p.m.: Listen to The Nutcracker story, create a Nutcracker craft and learn about ballet!
FantasiaScreening, Sunday, November 13, 2011, 2:00p.m.: CelebrateNutcrackerwith thisfreescreening of the 1940 Disney classic. Its innovative marriage of classical music—including excerpts fromThe Nutcracker—and glorious animation make it a must-see. George R. White Theatre, Point Park University, 414 Wood Street. Reserve your spot by calling412-454-9109.
Macy’s Holiday Window Unveiling Performance, Friday, November 18, 2011: During Pittsburgh’s Light Up Night at 5:30p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on the 4th floor of Macy’s Downtown, enjoy a preview performance of some of PBT’s The Nutcracker performed by some of PBT’s Pre-professional Division Students.
The NutcrackerDances to Fifth Avenue Place!November 19, 2011, 1:00-5:00 p.m..Meet costumed dancers from the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School and create holiday crafts with the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.for the whole family!
The Nutcrackerat Phipps Conservatory,25, 2011—January 8, 2012.a walk through the story ofThe Nutcrackertold through PBT performance photographs.
The NutcrackerMatinee, Friday, December 2, 2011, 11:00 a.m.. Join us for this special performance ofThe Nutcrackerstudent groups! Educational materials are provided to prepare students for the ballet. Special group rates are available by calling412-454-9127. Don’t miss this opportunity to bring your group to the Benedum!
Afterthoughts, Friday, December 2, 2011, at 10:30 p.m.: Conclude an evening at the ballet by attending Afterthoughts, an engaging and thought-provoking discussion about the performance led by Artistic Director Terrence S. Orr and other PBT artists.
Saturdays with the Sugarplum Fairy at Phipps, Dec. 3, 10 and 27. at 10:30 a.m.: Phipps and PBT are thrilled to present Saturdays with the Sugarplum Fairy at Phipps on Dec. 3, 10 and 27. Held at 10:30 a.m., these 30-minute creative movement dance classes and story time sessions with the Sugar Plum Fairy are perfect for children of all ages. Saturdays with the Sugarplum are open to the public and free with Phipps admission, which is $12 for adults; $11 for students and seniors; $9 for children 2-18; and free for children under 2 and members. Children should wear comfortable clothing and shoes in which they can easily move.
Talks with Terry, Sunday, December 4, 2011, at 11:00 a.m.: Talks with Terry is a unique opportunity to get special insights on ballet, the artists and the production through an informal discussion with PBT Artistic Director, Terrence S. Orr. The discussion is held inside the theater, giving participants a unique behind-the-scenes look at PBT’s dancers as they take company class on stage. Reservations are not required.
Nutcracker, Sweet!, Thursday, December 8, 2011, at 7:30 p.m.: Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens joins Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre on Thurs., Dec. 8, 2011 in celebrating the holidays with Nutcracker, Sweet!—a special family-friendly event bringing together the beauty of the public garden’s 1893 Victorian glasshouse with the magic of The Nutcracker ballet. The price of admission for Nutcracker, Sweet! is $26.75 for adults and $15.25 for children, and includes a voucher for a ticket to attend Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s full length performance of The Nutcracker at the Benedum Center, as well as admission to Phipps’ Winter Flower Show. Advance reservations are required and can be made by visiting www.pbt.org/events.
Family Pointe, Sunday, December 11, 2011, at 11:00 a.m.: Come one, come all to Family Pointe, a pre-performance program designed for the child in all of us. This program enriches and entertains through an interactive discussion and demonstration of various aspects of the ballet performance.
Space is limited! Reservations are required for Family Pointe and can be made by calling 412-454-9109. To purchase tickets click here.
Nutcracker Performances:
Friday, December 2, 2011 11:00 a.m. (Student Matinee)
Friday, December 2, 2011 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 3, 2011 2:00 & 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 4, 2011 12:00 & 4:30 p.m.
Friday, December 9, 2011 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 10, 2011 2:00 & 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 11, 2011 12:00 & 4:30 p.m.
Friday, December 16, 2011 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 17, 2011 2:00 & 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 18, 2011 12:00 & 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 22, 2011 7:00 p.m.
Friday, December 23, 2011 2:00 & 7:00 p.m.
This production is generously sponsored by: Macy’s and Giant Eagle.
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s 2011-12 Family Series is sponsored by Clearview Federal Credit Union.
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