Philadelphia Ballet brings George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker to life through December 31st at the Academy of Music, inviting audiences to step into a holiday favorite.
This production is described by Artistic Director Angel Corella as the city’s signature tradition, a pristine fairy tale that feels especially festive during the season. He emphasizes the piece’s warmth and beauty, noting how Christmassy and magical the story remains as it unfolds on stage.
Rehearsals begin about a month before opening, with roughly 80 performers on stage—including both professional dancers and the school’s young talents. Corella explains that the first act centers on the children, highlighting how some of them grow into principal roles later on, which is a highly rewarding journey for everyone involved.
The plot follows Marie at a family Christmas party, where her Uncle Drosselmeyer presents a magical nutcracker. Although her brother Fritz accidentally breaks it, the nutcracker is repaired, and Marie drifts to sleep. She awakens to a world where everything is larger than life, and courageously confronts a cadre of mice intent on harming her.
Corella recounts that the Nutcracker comes to life, protecting Marie and defeating the Mouse King. The duo then travels through a snowy forest, a scene many consider the highlight of the show for its beauty and purity—an almost quintessential vision of the holidays.
Their journey continues in the Land of Sweets, where the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Cavalier perform for Marie and the Nutcracker as a celebratory tribute. In the second act, the company takes the spotlight, with dances representing different lands through candies and a sparkling Tchaikovsky score that underscores the celebration.
Audience members may wonder: was it all merely a dream? Corella invites that sense of wonder while praising the production’s artistry—sets, costumes, and dancing—as something not to be missed during the holiday season.
Ticket information and venues remain the same: Philadelphia Ballet’s The Nutcracker runs through December 31st at the Academy of Music.
For more details, visit Philadelphia Ballet’s Nutcracker page or the Academy of Music ticketing page.
Venue: Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
