'Tis the Season for New Nutcrackers
Gennadi Nedvigin
is not the only early tenure director breaking out a new production of The Nutcracker this season.
Sacramento Ballet
Amy Seiwert
is putting her own stamp on the holiday staple in her first season as Sacramento Ballet’s artistic director. Though it is expected to be a traditional approach to the tale, it will be interesting to see how her contemporary aesthetic—and perspective as a female ballet choreographer—flavor the familiar divertissements. The Sacramento Philharmonic accompanies select performances. Dec. 14–23.
Royal New Zealand Ballet
Outside of the U.S., The Nutcracker is far less closely associated with the holidays. On Oct. 31, Royal New Zealand Ballet began presenting and touring the classic for the first time since 2010. The new production features choreography by Val Caniparoli, who was previously tapped by RNZB artistic director Patricia Barker to create a version for Grand Rapids Ballet in 2014. After a run at its home base of Wellington, the production sets out on an eight-city New Zealand tour concluding Dec. 15.
