Newsweek magazine raved back in the 1980s that readers could forget about the Space Needle and Mount Rainier — “Pacific Northwest Ballet’s ‘Nutcracker’ alone is worth a trip to Seattle.”
This acclaimed “Nutcracker” returns again for its 26th season, opening tonight at McCaw Hall.
With music by Tchaikovsky, this classic is choreographed by PNB’s founding artistic director Kent Stowell, with scenery and costume design by Maurice Sendak, author of “Where the Wild Things Are.”
Sendak at first didn’t want to do it. He agreed to undertake the project if PNB’s version remained true to E.T.A. Hoffman’s original tale, which contained some dark parts.
The Stowell and Sendak collaboration premiered Dec. 13, 1983.
The story begins at a lavish holiday party at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Stahlbaum and their two children, Clara and Fritz. One of the guests is Councilor Drosselmeyer, a magical man who brings fantastical gifts, including a wooden nutcracker for Clara.
After the party, Clara returns downstairs to check on her nutcracker and finds magical events unfolding: The tree grows taller, the toy soldiers and mice have become larger and the ferocious Rat King and the Nutcracker are in battle.
Clara bravely saves the Nutcracker, who is transformed into a handsome prince, and the two travel to the Kingdom of Candy, a place of exotic dances and home of the Sugar Plum Fairy. A celebration is held before Clara returns home wondering, “Was this all a dream?”
There’s also the “PNB Nutcracker Brunch,” hosted by the PNB League, at 9 a.m. Saturday where younger children and their families can participate in activities for kids, a brunch and a special “Nutcracker”-themed mini-performance. Brunch tickets may be purchased by calling 206-441-2424.
For more information about this annual event, e-mail events@pnb.org.
Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424; goffredo@heraldnet.com.
“Nutcracker”
Pacific Northwest Ballet’s “Nutcracker” opens at 7:30 tonight at McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St., Seattle. Performances are at various times through Dec. 30. Tickets start at $26. Call 206-441-2424 or go to www.pnb.org.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
