There are a number of reasons why the holiday ballet \u201cThe Nutcracker\u201d is a tradition all over the world. Much of that begins with Tchaikovsky\u2019s timeless score, which makes its way into every aspect of December living\u2013films, commercials and transpositions that put its music into every genre imaginable.<\/p>\n
But while popular access is something \u201cThe Nutcracker\u201d never struggles with, there\u2019s no denying the power of its purest form, in a theater as young Clara\u2019s dreams and imagination usher in the battle between toy soldiers and an army of mice.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Many cities stage a production of the 1892 classic ballet, and the South Bay offers up two large-scale productions in the city\u2019s grandest houses, both beginning on Dec. 13. San Jose Dance Theatre<\/a>, along with the Cambrian Symphony, presents its 60th anniversary production at the Center for Performing Arts through Dec. 21.\u00a0<\/p>\n Just down the street, New Ballet<\/a>, accompanied by Symphony San Jose, set themselves at the historic California Theatre for \u201cThe San Jose Nutcracker,\u201d their ninth annual production of the ballet, through Dec. 23.<\/p>\n While ballet may not be everyone\u2019s forte, \u201cThe Nutcracker\u201d has its own set of rules. Productions worldwide are familial and generational traditions, and based on the number of years San Jose Dance Theatre\u2019s version has been a part of the region, staying power is a cause for celebration.\u00a0<\/p>\n That power is rooted deeply in San Jose Dance Theatre Executive Director Elizabeth Sweeney\u2019s personal history. The Gilroy native\u2019s first production of the ballet was with the company when she was 8. Over those many years, she saw clearly why the holiday tradition is so beloved for ballet and non-ballet fans alike.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2018The Nutcracker\u2019 is about Christmas, and you\u2019re following Clara on her journey,\u201d said Sweeney, who noted her company\u2019s version is the second-longest-running production in California. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to know a lot about ballet steps or the technique that\u2019s being performed to enjoy the music, the costumes and everything else that goes on with it. You can still walk away feeling like, \u2018Okay, it may not be my thing but I think I get this one.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n The story centers around the young Clara, who receives a special Christmas Eve present of a nutcracker doll from her godfather. As she sets out to sleep, the doll comes to life in her dreams to battle the Mouse King, and upon the battle\u2019s conclusion, the nutcracker turns into a prince and invites Clara on a fantastical journey. Memorable characters such as the Snow King and Queen await, along Dancing Snowflakes and a signature pas de deux. The journey ultimately continues on a cloud to the Kingdom of Sweets.\u00a0<\/p>\n While San Jose Dance Theatre will be laying out its traditional classic version, New Ballet has leaned towards a more South Bay-centric setting, swapping the niveous beauty of Germany for turn-of-the-century San Jose.<\/p>\n New Ballet\u2019s artistic director, executive director and founder Dalia Rawson says the sheer volume of \u201cThe Nutcracker\u201d and its presence in a classical dancer\u2019s life makes it unique. One would have a very hard time studying ballet if there was any resistance to this particular composition, since it is easily the most performed ballet anywhere.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s such a huge part of every dancer\u2019s career and experience,\u201d said Swenson, who began her professional dance career right out of high school. \u201cIf I add it all up, when I was dancing professionally, we did as many as 60 performances a year of \u2018The Nutcracker,\u2019 and the rest of the season would maybe be 40 performances. So every single year I did more total \u2018Nutcracker\u2019 shows than anything else, and there\u2019s no other ballet we do every year.\u201d<\/p>\n San Jose Dance Theatre\u2019s Artistic Director Nicole Haskins is thrilled to both shape this year\u2019s production with her professional training lens and enjoy the ride of her very first \u201cNutcracker\u201d with the company, having begun her work in San Jose in January.<\/p>\n For Haskins, the glitter of \u201cThe Nutcracker\u201d tradition stems from Tchaikovsky\u2019s lush, mellifluous score that informs the saga of Clara.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a choreographer, I feel like as long as you don\u2019t get in the way of really beautiful music, you\u2019re kind of almost home free already,\u201d Haskins said. \u201cWhat I\u2019ve always loved about the Nutcracker when I was a little girl and first exposed to it is the story of Clara (is that) it\u2019s about someone being brave and taking risks when they don\u2019t know what the outcome is like. It\u2019s kind of a crazy story when you think about it, and she\u2019s so open and generous. The original story is that it\u2019s a very ugly doll, and she still thinks it deserves to be cared for.\u201d<\/p>\n For tickets to the San Jose Dance Theatre\u2019s \u201cNutcracker,\u201d visit https:\/\/www.sanjose.org\/events\/nutcracker-san-jose-dance-theatre<\/a>.<\/p>\n