HUGE thank you to Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre for sponsoring this post! As always, all opinions remain my own.
Pittsburgh is pure magic during the holidays. Keep kids wide-eyed with beautiful ballerinas and dancing snowflakes. Where it’s a family tradition or a first time visit, The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s performance of The Nutcracker will surely delight kids of all ages!
What should you know before taking your child to see the Nutcracker?
The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre has provided us with a rundown of everything you’ll need to know about planning your visit… AND plus they’ve given us (4) tickets to giveaway here on Play Pittsburgh! Details on how to enter can be found below.
Pittsburgh Tradition Flourishes in Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s “The Nutcracker”
Press release via Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
Onstage Dec. 5-28 at the Benedum Center, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre continues one of Pittsburgh’s most beloved holiday traditions with its 13th annual production of “The Nutcracker.” From the moonlit Mount Washington snow scene to the amusement park setting of the Land of Enchantment, Pittsburgh gives a unique sense of place to this grand-scale production, opening for a 24-performance run at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5.
Behind the scenes, “The Nutcracker” is a season unto itself at PBT with preparations beginning as early as September. Under the direction of PBT Costumier Janet Groom Campbell, the costume shop prepares the production’s more than 200 costumes, which range from the classical white tutus of the Snow Scene, to the bumblebees, flowers and clowns of the Land of Enchantment. By early November, rehearsals fill all five dance studios as Artistic Director Terrence S. Orr casts more than 150 roles for each of the production’s 24 performances. In addition to company dancers, more than 100 PBT School students, ages 7 and up, will perform throughout the run as toy soldiers, clowns and other fairy-tale characters. The months of planning, costuming and casting give the final product the feel of a storybook come to life.
Throughout the production’s 24-performance run, Artistic Director Terrence S. Orr rotates the cast to ensure that no two performances are identical. One dancer might perform as many as eight character roles during a single season and even multiple roles per night. The variety adds nuance and brings new chemistry to the stage. Audience members often experience emerging talents performing principal roles, such as Marie, the Sugarplum Fairy and the Snow Queen. The choreography showcases classical training and technique, and also functions as a storytelling device Orr uses to develop character relationships, adding romance, friendship and audience connection.
“The Nutcracker” is one of the most popular ballets of all time, based on a classic tale written by German Author, E.T.A Hoffman. Since the ballet’s premiere in 1892, companies have adapted the story by altering choreography and emphasizing themes. Beginning in 2002, PBT Artistic Director Terrence S. Orr recreated the famous production with a fresh perspective and an unexpected love story. Many elements that make “The Nutcracker” a classic remain the same, such as Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, but Orr enriches the production by developing a relationship between Marie and the Nutcracker Prince, creating more complex choreography and a Pittsburgh setting. The set design and storyline reflect Pittsburgh traditions and landmarks, such as the city’s famous Mt. Washington view and the Land of Enchantment carousel inspired by its historic amusement parks. Emmy-winning theatrical designer Zack Brown said his vision for PBT’s set and costume design came from, “historical research, my own imagination, conversations with Artistic Director Terrence S. Orr, and the inspiration of the music with its rich orchestral colors and sweeping melodies.”
Tickets start at $27, and can be purchased online at www.pbt.org, by calling 412-456-6666 or visiting the Box Office at Theater Square. Groups of eight or more can save up to 50% on tickets by contacting PBT’s Group Sales department atgroupsales@pittsburghballet.org or 412-454-9101.
Performance Dates & Times
- Friday, Dec. 5, – 7:00pm
- Saturday, Dec. 6, – 2 & 7 pm
- Sunday, Dec. 7, – 12:00pm
- Thursday, Dec. 11, – 7:00pm
- Friday, Dec. 12, – 7:00pm
- Saturday, Dec. 13, – 2:00 & 7 pm
- Sunday, Dec. 14, – 12:00 & 4:30 pm
- Thursday, Dec. 18, – 7:00pm
- Friday, Dec. 19, – 7:00pm
- Saturday, Dec. 20, – 2:00 & 7 pm
- Sunday, Dec. 21, – 12:00 & 4:30 pm
- Tuesday, Dec. 23, – 7:00pm
- Wednesday, Dec. 24, – 2:00pm
- Friday, Dec. 26, at 7:00pm
- Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014 at 2:00 & 7 pm
- Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014 – 12:00pm
Sensory-Friendly Performance and Audience Accessibility
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre presents its second-annual sensory-friendly production of “The Nutcracker,” which is designed for patrons with sensory sensitivities and other special needs, at 2pm Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2014 at the Benedum Center. Accommodations will include designated quiet areas and activity stations in the lobby; lowered light, sound and special effects levels; and opportunities for families and children to familiarize themselves with the production in advance. Tickets for the sensory-friendly performance, which is open to the entire community, are available online at www.pbt.org/sensory-friendly-performances or by calling 412-456-6666.
PBT is committed to serving everyone in the Pittsburgh community and offers accessibility services, including wheelchair accessibility, braille and large-print programs, assistive listening devices, audio recordings of program notes and an audio-described performance on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 4:30 p.m. with a pre-performance Sensory Seminar beginning at 3 p.m. For more information, please visit www.pbt.org/accessibility.
PBT to Host “The Nutcracker Holiday Party”
PBT is kicking off The Nutcracker season over Pittsburgh’s Light Up Night weekend with a family-friendly open house at PBT Studios, 2900 Liberty Ave. PBT will host this free community event on Sunday, Nov. 23, from 12-3 p.m. Activities include dance classes and performance excerpts, holiday-themed crafts presented by partners, including the Andy Warhol Museum, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Science Center, The Nutcracker story time sessions with Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and photo opportunities with costumed dancers. In the spirit of the holidays, PBT encourages guests to bring a food donation for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank – or a donation for Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School – for a chance to win a Nutcracker gift basket. For additional details, please visit, www.pbt.org.
About PBT’s 45th Anniversary Season
Presented exclusively at the Benedum Center, PBT’s 2014-2015 Season enters five new works into the PBT repertory. Opening in October with “The Sleeping Beauty,” the 2014-2015 Season continues with “The Nutcracker” in December, the Pittsburgh premiere of Lew Christensen’s “Beauty and the Beast” in February, “PBT Premieres” with the PBT Orchestra in March and “La Bayadère” with the PBT Orchestra in April. For tickets, please visit www.pbt.org or call 412-456-6666.
