By Ann Marie Byrd, Feature Writer
New Bern—with its impressive 300-year history, embraces tradition—especially when it comes to holiday cheer!
Our beautiful little downtown has the charm of a classic Norman Rockwell painting, complete with a skating rink, live window displays, and a Santa House.
Paired with amazing establishments and shopping, Christmas is again being celebrated with the timeless beauty and tradition of The Nutcracker.
Directed by Wendy Daw, this semi-annual production has featured both adults and children, dancing to the enduring melodies of Peter I. Tchaikovsky.
“Performing at the historic New Bern Civic Theatre adds an extra layer of charm and nostalgia to our Nutcracker Ballet production. The venue’s rich history and ambiance perfectly complement our classic performance,” says Wendy. “The Nutcracker Ballet is not just a show; it’s an opportunity for our dancers to shine and for our community to come together during the holiday season. It’s a celebration of art, culture, and the joy of dance.”
The famed Russian ballet was a commission by the Russian Imperial Opera Directorate, based on the E.T.A. Hoffman story The Nutcracker and Mouse King. Interestingly, Tchaikovsky wasn’t entirely pleased with his work—as he preferred his Swan Lake. However, the world immediately fell in love with the Romantic nature of the ballet, with its sublime qualities, fantasy, and darkness. They esteemed it “astonishingly rich in detailed inspiration,” and “beautiful and melodious from beginning to end.”
The Nutcracker has endured as a favorite of audiences, in New Bern and throughout the world—lifting spirits during the season of celebration and joy.
The Nutcracker has also undergone many adaptations and revisions over its long and varied performance history worldwide, and today it continues to evolve. Down East Dance has condensed and modified the ballet to a comfortable one-hour production, and their version includes the original Hoffman storyline narration, told within the construct of a bedtime story for a little girl named Marie by her mother.
The story is a magical one, entertaining audiences with a grand Christmas party, twirling snowflakes, a Nutcracker Soldier, a life-size mouse queen, and a journey to the Land of the Sweets with its beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy and its Waltzing Flowers with their Queen, Dew Drop.
“The choreography may change a bit from year to year, but what is most important is the biannual tradition for our community,” says Wendy. “We invite everyone to join us at New Bern Civic Theatre for a magical journey into the world of the Nutcracker Ballet. It’s an enchanting experience that will leave you filled with the spirit of the season.”