Nothing quite introduces the holidays like “The Nutcracker.”
And nothing quite signals the end of summer for students at the Blue Springs Ballet like “The Nutcracker.”
The famous fairy tale ballet, set in two acts, will be performed Saturday and Sunday at the Barbara Landes Performing Arts Center at Blue Springs South High School. Times are 7 p.m. on Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Melissa Morris, studio owner and director, said the audience can expect many of the same sights and sounds when they attend, but there have been improvements, too – tweaks and alterations that will make the 16th year special.
“We have people who come back every year,” Morris said. “And people come every year and are amazed at how well it’s done, how professional. The variety in what we do is what the people enjoy.”
Popular throughout the country during Christmas, “The Nutcracker” ballet was first performed outside Russia in Budapest in 1927. The first complete performance took place in England in 1934. The San Francisco Ballet performed it first in its entirety in the United States in 1944.
Based on the story “The Nutcracker and the King of Mice,” written by E.T.A. Hoffman, the story is different on stage compared to the original story. Yet, the basic story remains intact. It’s the story of a young German girl, Clara, who dreams of a Nutcracker Prince and a fierce battle against a Mouse King with seven heads.
For the performers at the Blue Springs Ballet, “The Nutcracker” is special because of its story and its set decorations.
“We have the Christmas tree and the clock growing on stage, which the performers and audience enjoy,” Morris said.
Performers’ ages range between 11 and 30 years old, she said. Morris said the performance last about two hours, which includes an intermission.
Morris believes many people enjoy the Blue Springs performance because of its intimacy.
“The performance center that we perform it in seats about 900 people, which is perfect,” she said. “That’s smaller than other venues, including Kansas City.”
Performers audition for the specific roles, and Morris said the competition can be intense.
“In the end, we have a select group that performs it. “We have some of our best do it. It’s a great production for the amount of money that we have to work with.”
Money raised for each performance is set aside for next year’s production, Morris said.
Tickets can be purchased at the door. Reserved seats are available as well. Tickets range from as low as $7 to as high as $11. For more information call 816-224-5505.
