Fresh off its Emmy Award win for the televised adaptation, Nashville’s Nutcracker is returning to TPAC December 9–24, 2022. Deemed Music City’s favorite holiday tradition, this year’s production will feature the beloved, unique-to-Nashville story, plus live music by the Nashville Symphony and a brand-new Snow Scene.
“When I created this ballet almost fifteen years ago, I wanted to make it something unique to our community- something we could be proud of,” shared Nashville Ballet Artistic Director Paul Vasterling. “Over the years, it’s become so much more than that. It’s a tradition our dancers look forward to, an experience we share with family and friends, and most of all, an opportunity for us all to come together to celebrate the magic of the holidays and the beauty of dance.”
Inspired by the 1897 Centennial Exposition, which celebrates its 125th anniversary this year, Nashville’s Nutcracker showcases the unique history and cultural innovation of Music City. The performance begins with Clara and her Uncle Drosselmeyer at the Exposition, where they experience inventions from across the globe and see the beloved Nutcracker for the first time. Along with the iconic land of sweets and sugar plum fairies, several Nashville treasures are featured throughout the performance, including Centennial Park and the Belle Meade Mansion.
Known for its eye-catching costumes and elaborate sets, this year’s attendees will get to experience the debut of a brand-new Snow Scene. Inspired by the company’s Emmy Award-winning film adaptation of the beloved production, the new Snow Scene is designed to look as if you are staring into a piece of dark mica stone—with reflections and sparkles inside that make the dreamy costumes pop more to the audience. The new scene was created specifically for this production by renowned designer Campbell Baird.
Nashville’s Nutcracker will feature Nashville Ballet company dancers, the artists of NB2, a youth cast of students from School of Nashville Ballet, Rejoice School of Ballet, and the Hispanic Family Foundation, and live music by the Nashville Symphony. A complete holiday experience, guests will also be able to enjoy several pre-performance activities, including a commemorative photo booth, meet and greets with characters from the production, and story times hosted by Nashville Ballet teaching artists. Nashville’s Nutcracker is sponsored in part by the Tennessee Titans.
For more information, please visit nashvilleballet.com. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased there.
Nashville Ballet is the largest professional ballet company in Tennessee. Nashville Ballet presents a varied repertoire of classical ballet and contemporary works by noted choreographers, including original works by Artistic Director Paul Vasterling. Nashville Ballet and the second company, NB2 (a pre-professional training company), provide more than 55,000 arts experiences to adults and children annually through virtual and in-person season performances and its Community Engagement programming. Curriculum-based Community Engagement programs bring dance education to community centers, colleges, public libraries, and public elementary, middle, and high schools across the state. School of Nashville Ballet brings world-class dance instruction to students ages 2 and up. To learn more about Nashville Ballet, please visit: nashvilleballet.com.
