GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The classic holiday tradition from Grand Rapids Ballet is returning to the stage. The Nutcracker will be at DeVos Performance Hall for two weekends this December with four evening shows and four matinees.
The production features set designs by Eugene Lee, a Tony Award®-winner for Candidate (1974), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1979), The Lion King (1998) and Wicked (2004). He is also an Emmy® award-winner for Saturday Night Live (2017). Choreography is by Val Caniparoli who is one of America's most sought-after choreographers having worked with Joffrey Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Boston Ballet and Lyric Opera. She was also a principal character dancer with San Francisco Ballet.
The production was completely reimagined in 2014 by Chris Van Allsburg (author of The Polar Express and a Grand Rapids native). The production also features the music of Tchaikovsky which is being performed live by The Grand Rapids Symphony.
"Allsburg and Caniparoli were adamant from the beginning to focus on the original story of The Nutcracker," said Grand Rapids Artistic Director James Sofranko. "Lee is also part of the vision and ensuring from beginning to end you see the complete storyline of Clara coming of age and going through a wonderful adventure."
Tickets are available at Grand Rapid Ballet's website and on ticketmaster.com.
The following are the show times:
- Friday, Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 16 at 2 p.m.
- Friday, Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 22 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 23 at 2 p.m.
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