The Pennsylvania Ballet Presents The Nutcracker

Last Saturday, Soren and I were treated to a magical performance of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker, as performed by The Pennsylvania Ballet.

We enjoyed a fun day out in Philadelphia, indulging in a chocolate lunch at Max Brenner's (ah-maze-ing) and catching the holiday show at the Comcast Center.

But the highlight of the day was the opening performance of The Nutcracker at The Academy of Music, performed by the Pennsylvania Ballet, which is celebrating its 25th season.

The theater itself is marvelous, in all its gilded, Neo-classical glory (or maybe neo-Rococo?)

I remember seeing the show many years ago at the same venue, as well as trying to catch a yearly television broadcast of Baryshnikov's version.   It's just part of my Christmas history now, and I hope that Soren and Jude continue in that tradition.  Soren's stocking even has an image of the Mouse King on it.  I had high hopes when I bought it years ago.

My friend and I attended the performance with two 4 year olds, one of which was my energetic son.  I was surprised that they were both engaged for the majority of the ballet.  Considering we had walked them around the city and it was dark and quiet in the theater, I was impressed that neither child fell asleep.  Soren was actually sitting on the edge of his seat during the battle between the Mouse King and the toy soldiers.  Though he wasn't eager to come across the Mouse King in the lobby during intermission. 

Image taken from the PA Ballet's Facebook page, when the Mouse King visited Love Park in the city.

Typically for me, the first act with the party scene can often be tedious and a lot to sit through, however The Pennsylvania Ballet made great efforts to make it engaging, especially for children (many of whom made up the audience).  Sibling rivalry, choreographed games and dances by the child performers, and a playful, not menacing Godfather Drosselmeyer (sometimes he's downright scary) made this act fun to watch.  And it ends with such a magical, snowy performance of the Waltz of the Snowflakes, that literally gave me chills.

The Philadelphia Boys' Choir added their voices to the music and magic of the scene; it was like nothing I had ever seen live on stage.

The Nutcracker was a delicious holiday treat that I look forward to seeing every year.  I hope to return again with my family next season.

There are still many performances scheduled for the month of December.  Tickets start at just twenty dollars:

Friday, December 14 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, December 15 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Sunday, December 16 at noon and 5 p.m.
Thursday, December 20 at 7 p.m.
Friday, December 21 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, December 22 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Sunday, December 23 at noon and 5 p.m.
Monday, December 24 at noon
Wednesday, December 26 at noon and 5 p.m.
Thursday, December 27 at 2 p.m.
Friday, December 28 at 2 p.m.
Saturday, December 29 at 2 p.m.
Sunday, December 30 at noon and 5 p.m.

You can connect with The Pennsylvania Ballet via @PaBallet on Twitter and on Facebook.
Disclosure: I received complementary tickets to The Nutrcracker for review. All opinions are my own.