The Orlando Ballet will be extending their performance of The Nutcracker from Dec. 7 through Dec. 16 at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Orlando Ballet’s’ artistic director, Robert Hill, says that this is the first time the company will be extending the show’s viewing to two weeks (as opposed to one week) in all of his 10 years with the company. The Nutcracker proved popular with the audience last year as the performance sold out. Hill also stated that was the first time he’s witnessed the show sell out.
In addition to the regular showing of The Nutcracker, there will also be The Nutcracker Family Show happening on Dec. 8 and Dec. 15. The Nutcracker Family Show is a one-hour version of The Nutcracker. The uncut version of The Nutcracker has two acts with an intermission. Hill says the shortened version is a great option for young viewers and first-timers who have never experienced a ballet before. “I hear parents of kids from a certain age say that was the perfect length,” says Hill.
Even though The Nutcracker Family Show is condensed in length, it will still contain the snow scene that the ballet names as a famous scene to the play. Hill describes the scene with action, dance, ballerinas, and lit-up snow flurries, “Nutcracker has a battle with Mouse King. He kills Mouse King, and he’s transformed into the actual Nutcracker prince. He takes Clara on the journey to the Land of the Sweets, and, in order to get there, he takes her through a wonderful snow scene where she gets to see the Snow King and Queen dance.”
Another special the Orlando Ballet is having is called The Nutcracker Tea on Dec. 15. Guests will take a visit to the Land of the Sweets, where they can indulge in sweet treats and purchase holiday trinkets. Seating for children costs $50, and adults cost $75.
Both the Nutcracker Tea and The Nutcracker Family Show will be held on Dec. 15, but the Orlando Ballet has ensured the two events will not interfere with each other. The Nutcracker Family Show begins at 11 a.m., and the tea is scheduled for right after. It will also end in time for the regular showing of The Nutcracker at 3 p.m. on the same day.
A press release sent out by the Orlando Ballet also says that they will be continuing their over 20-year tradition of offering free field trips to all second-grade classes in Orange County Public Schools to see The Nutcracker.
More than 150 Orlando Ballet students will be performing with the company this year. Their ages range from 7 years old to adults.
When asked what separates The Nutcracker from other performances, Orlando Ballet’s ballet master, Lisa Vinceant, said, “The tradition of it, because that’s something we do every year. It’s the excitement of the kids. Every year, we do something amazing. The kids get so excited in the performance and in the audience. It’s the holidays.”
With all the reconstruction done within the company these past months, the Orlando Ballet is seeing an improvement. “It’s been a process to get our ticket buyers back involved. Last year, we increased our ticket sales by 40 percent,” said Hill.
Overall, Hill says the community should get out and give The Nutcracker a view, not only to share the holiday spirit but because it’s a great way to unplug from the digital world and mingle with one another face to face. As Central Florida’s only professional ballet company, the Orlando Ballet has a lot to offer its home. Hill expresses the thought by saying, “We’re living in this world with this technology where we’re on our computers and on our phone all the time. Just put everything down and come out for a social occasion. It’s a live performance; that’s a wonderful thing to have in the community.”
