JWM - Volume 3, Issue 4 - (Page 49)

courtesy of korean national ballet E ven those who know nothing about ballet know “the Nutcracker.” this confection of children, sweets and toys come to life premiered with the russian imperial Ballet in 1892—choreographed by the French-russian marius Petipa and russian Lev ivanov, with an immortal score by Pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky. the ballet was based on French writer alexandre Dumas père’s adaptation of German writer E.t.a. Hoffmann’s “the Nutcracker and the mouse King.” this international concoction opened to less than stellar reviews, but went on to become a wintertime tradition, one that has become even more international than its origins. more than 100 years later, a host of companies around the world leap at the chance to offer their own visions of this timeless story. North America the chicago-based joffrey Ballet has its own version, choreographed in 1987 by the late robert joffrey. “it was all about children and all about dolls, and every child in the party scene got a doll that would come to life,” says ashley c. wheater, joffrey Ballet’s artistic director. “So when a little boy in a wheelchair who dreamed to be in ‘the Nutcracker’ came to an audition, a role was created for him. Since then, there have been roles created for children with disabilities.” For this year’s home season, 300 children are split into two casts. December 6–28 at the auditorium theatre of roosevelt University, chicago. joffrey.org George Balanchine, co-founder of the New York city Ballet (NYcB), brought a new look to “the Nutcracker” with his 1954 U.S. version. Gone were adults playing children’s roles; real children played children, leapfrogging as they gathered around the christmas tree. this traditional, sparkling version is a highlight of New York city’s winter season. November 29, 2013–january 4, 2014, at the David H. Koch theater at Lincoln center, New York. nycballet.com Europe the first complete performance of “the Nutcracker” outside of russia was in London in 1934; this year London boasts two. the English National Ballet’s “Nutcracker” by wayne Eagling features stunning images of skaters gliding along the frozen thames; and clara, the Nutcracker and Drosselmeyer taking a magical hot-air balloon ride. December 11, 2013–january 5, 2014. London coliseum, London. ballet.org.uk Whimsical spectacles: sarah lamb as the sugar plum Fairy in london’s Royal Ballet version of “the Nutcracker,” at left. this paGe: the Korean National Ballet’s Bolshoi-inspired version. J WM MAGAZINE 49 j w m a r r i o t t. c o m http://www.nycballet.com http://www.joffrey.org http://ballet.org.uk http://www.JWMARRIOTT.COM

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JWM - Volume 3, Issue 4

Jwm - Fall 2013
Contents
JW Experts
Contributors
Editor’s Letter
Distinctive Products, People, Ideas & Style
Well-Being
Food + Drink
Visions of Sugarplums
The Portal
Austin at the Starting Line
Details, Details
The Tastes of the Year
Not So Private Lives
JW Experience
My Passion

JWM - Volume 3, Issue 4