The Colorado Ballet’s performance of “The Nutcracker” is the largest and most beloved in the state. It is a Denver tradition, so it makes sense that performances run for a full month. That way, everyone gets a chance to see this popular ballet. This year’s performance of “The Nutcracker” will be at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House through Dec. 24. Tickets start at $30 and go up to $155. Pick your tickets up now since they usually go quickly.
Are you new to the world of “The Nutcracker?” Take a minute to learn a bit about this ballet, and you’ll realize why it’s one of the most popular Christmas shows of all time.
Act 1 – Meet the Nutcracker
If you’ve never seen “The Nutcracker,” you might be a little confused. How can anyone create an entire ballet around a nutcracker?
Well, it’s a little more complicated than that.
The story begins on Christmas Eve, with a little girl named Clara receiving a nutcracker. That might not be your idea of a good Christmas gift, but Clara absolutely adored it. When it is time for bed, Clara checks on her nutcracker to make sure it’s okay. She ends up falling asleep under the tree with the nutcracker in her arms. That’s probably something you’ve done a time or two with a favorite toy.
That might all sound normal, but here’s when things take a turn. Clara awakes to find a giant army of mice led by the Mouse King in her house. And that’s not all. The nutcracker and a group of toy soldiers have come to life. The soldiers and nutcracker battle the Mouse King and his army.
The Mouse King is no match for Clara and the nutcracker, and they defeat him. After a magical moment, the nutcracker turns into a prince, and Clara turns into a princess.
And that’s when things get really wild.
Act 2 – It’s Time to Hit the Road
Hanging out in Mom and Dads house isn’t fit for a princess, so the prince and princess hit the road and go to the Land of Sweets. This is where the Sugar Plum Fairy lives, and she’s very pleased that the two defeated the Mouse King. They celebrate with a festival complete with dancing. That includes the famous “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.”
And then…
Clara wakes up.
And this is where the debate begins. After you make it to the end, ask yourself this: Was Clara just dreaming, or did she get a little taste of Christmas magic?
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Getting to the Ballet
The ballet is a refined affair, and you want to make an impression when you pull up. That’s easy to do when you arrive in a new Subaru from Mike Shaw Subaru in Thornton, Colorado. You will look like a star when you pull up in your Subaru.
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