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Kansas City Ballet Celebrates 37th Annual Production of The Nutcracker KANSAS CITY, MO (October 13, 2009) – Kansas City Ballet will present its million-dollar production of The Nutcracker from Dec. 16 through Dec. 27 in the Music Hall in downtown Kansas City. This enchanting production’s vibrant costumes, stunning sets, choreography by former Artistic Director Todd Bolender, and Peter Tchaikovsky’s memorable score, tell the unforgettable story of Clara and her Nutcracker Prince as they journey to the Kingdom of the Sweets. It is an enduring tale of childhood innocence, the magic and power of dreams and those who dream them. Kansas City Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker is the one of the largest productions in an eight state region. An estimated 200 area children, students of the Kansas City Ballet School, also appear in the production with the 25 Kansas City Ballet professional dancers. Conducted by Kansas City Ballet Music Director Ramona Pansegrau, the Kansas City Symphony will perform Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score. The Nutcracker is more than just a holiday tradition for many Kansas City families. This production provides a rare opportunity for local children of the Kansas City Ballet School to perform with professional dancers. Kansas City Ballet School, which offers professional training to nearly 600 children and adults in the community, will provide an estimated 200 children for this production ranging in age from 7 to 18. These young dancers are a critical part of the production as they appear in the Party Scene, the Battle Scene as Mice and Soldiers, and in various roles in the Kingdom of the Sweets. More advanced students join the Company female dancers in the Land of Snow and the Waltz of the Flowers. M&I Bank, Kansas City Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund, Midwest Airlines (Official Airline of Kansas City Ballet), Hotel Phillips (Host Hotel & Restaurant of Kansas City Ballet), and Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City and the ArtsKC Fund are proud supporting sponsors of The Nutcracker. Media Sponsors include The Kansas City Star, KSHB TV 41 Action News, and 98.1 KUDL. Sugar and Spice Photographs The 15th Annual Sugar Plum Fairy Luncheon Guests will revel in an elegant and magical Victorian holiday celebration at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Kansas City. Patrons will enjoy shopping for unique holiday gifts at the Silent Auction and Nutcracker Market and will dine on a delicious three course lunch. The enchanting Sugar Plum Fairy and her friends will delight all with a swirl of dancing and so much more! Each child will also receive a complimentary photo with the Sugar Plum Fairy. After the luncheon it’s a short walk to the Music Hall for the 2:00 p.m. matinee of Kansas City Ballet’s The Nutcracker. Luncheon tickets may be purchased separately or as a package. For reservations or more information contact Kansas City Ballet Box Office, 816.931.2232 or www.kcballet.org. Ticket Information Parking and Downtown Maps
The Nutcracker Special Events Calendar Wed., Dec. 16 The Nutcracker opens at 7:30 p.m.
The Nutcracker 2009 The Nutcracker Complete Schedule Wed., Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m.
Fact Sheet for The Nutcracker Act I Prologue Act II Scene I The Party Kingdom of the Sweets Scene II The Battle Intermission Scene III The Snow Forest
The Nutcracker Story ACT I As Act I begins, relatives and friends gather in the parlor for a holiday party given by Clara’s parents, Dr. and Frau Silberhaus. Children dressed in their finest clothes parade around a brightly lit Christmas tree with presents underneath for everybody. Clara is a very lucky girl. Her godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer, is on his way to the party with wonderful toys for Clara and her brother, Fritz. Herr Drosselmeyer is an inventor and a very mysterious old man. He and his nephew arrive at the party with many gifts, including life-sized dancing dolls. Clara is so thrilled with the dolls that she wants one all to herself, but her mother tells her that magic toys belong to children everywhere and must be shared. Drosselmeyer, seeing Clara’s disappointment, produces another gift – a beautiful wooden Nutcracker carved like a cavalier with a white beard and a mouth wide enough to crack nuts. Clara loves the Nutcracker, but Fritz is jealous of his sister’s gift, grabs it from Clara, and throws it to the floor, breaking it. Drosselmeyer steps in to mend the Nutcracker, while Fritz receives a scolding for his bad behavior. Shortly thereafter, everyone gathers for the Grandfather’s Dance, as the evening comes to an end. The guests then leave one by one, and Clara bids goodnight to her wonderful godfather and his charming nephew, as the lights dim. The parlor is dark and quiet after the party, and Clara slips downstairs to see if her Nutcracker is safe when suddenly – her world changes. She sees giant mice running across the floor, and the Christmas tree grows to fill the entire room. The mice, led by the Mouse King, prepare to attack the Nutcracker and toy soldiers. A terrible battle rages with the cannon booming and rifles cracking. The Nutcracker and the Mouse King duel and Clara comes to the rescue! She throws her tiny slipper at the Mouse King to distract him so the Nutcracker can attack. The Mouse King falls dead to the floor and his cowardly mice scamper away. The Nutcracker looks for Clara who, in all the excitement, has fainted onto the giant toy bed. Magically led by the Nutcracker, the bed begins to move through the starry night. Drosselmeyer suddenly appears from the darkness and waves his magic cape, and in a flash, the wooden Nutcracker is turned into a handsome, young prince. He bows to Clara and places the Mouse King’s crown on her head. The Prince invites her to come with him to his home in the Kingdom of Sweets, as a reward for saving his life. Clara and the Nutcracker Prince find themselves in the middle of a snowy forest ruled by the King and Queen of Snow, on the way to his Kingdom. The King and Queen give Clara and the Prince permission to pass through the snowy forest as they dance through whirling snowflakes. ACT II Act II takes place in the Kingdom of the Sweets where everything is made of candy. Buildings are constructed of cotton candy and fountains spout streams of strawberry soda. Dishes of bonbons and giant ice cream sodas decorate the beautiful castle of the Sugar Plum Fairy. She and her Cavalier greet Clara and the Prince while surrounded by Angels. The Prince tells the Sugar Plum Fairy about the battle and describes how Clara helped him defeat the Mouse King. His pantomime scene dates back to the original Russian production more than 100 years ago and has been passed on by generations of ballet instructors. The Sugar Plum Fairy congratulates Clara and the Prince on their bravery and leads them to the Royal throne to watch the festival of dances from around the world. Three Spanish couples dance a lively waltz, and Arabian-coffee dancers appear. A box of Chinese Tea arrives, and is followed by Trepak-Russian dancers swirling their candy whips. The Dance of the Reed Pipes delights Clara, as do the Buffoons who dance with all of Mother Ginger’s children. Then, a lovely Dew Drop appears and dances a waltz with flowers of every color. Finally, the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier dance the Grand Pas de Deux (dance for two) just for Clara and the Prince. After her adventures in the Candy Kingdom, the brave heroine returns home in spectacular fashion. Clara will always remember this very special holiday.
The Nutcracker Trivia
About Kansas City Ballet ### Please direct all media inquiries to: Ellen McDonald at 816.444.0052.
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