’Tis the Season for 'The Nutcracker'

Think Clara, the Nutcracker, the King of Mice and Brandon.

From the party scene through the Land of Sweets, the magical retelling of "The Nutcracker" story, based on E.T.A. Hoffman's story, "The Nutcracker and the King of Mice," takes to the stage this weekend, Dec. 10-11, with dancers from both the Brandon Ballet and the Theatre Arts and Dance Alliance (TADA) in Lithia.

Five Things To Know About The Nutcracker Ballet

French author Alexander Dumas wrote the revision to Hoffman’s story on which  choreographer Marius Petipa based his vision for “The Nutcracker” ballet.

Petipa in 1891 commissioned Peter Illyich Tchaikovsky to write the music for the ballet.

The first staging of "The Nutcracker" was a year later, at the Mariinsky Theatre in Russia, home of the Kirov Ballet.

“The Nutcracker” debuted in Western Europe in the 1930’s and came to America by 1940, performed by Ballet Russe. The San Francisco Ballet performed the first full-length “Nutcracker” in America.

The ballet opens with a party scene at the Stahlbaum house and takes root in Clara’s dream, with a fight scene after midnight between the Mouse King and the Nutcracker and then through a magical journey from the Land of Snow to the Land of Sweets.

The Brandon Ballet "Nutcracker"

Performances are Dec. 10 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 11 at 2 and 5:30 p.m.

The venue is Spoto High School in Riverview, at 8538 Eagle Palm Drive.

Tickets cost $25 for adults, $20 for seniors age 55 and older and $15 for children age 18 and younger.

The Theatre Arts and Dance Alliance's "Nutrcacker"

Performances are Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 11 at 3 pm.

The venue is Riverview High School, at 11311 Boyette Road.

Tickets cost $15 for general admission and $20 for premium seating.

RELATED COVERGE: