It wouldn't be the holiday season in Houston without one of the city's most cherished productions: The Nutcracker. Houston Ballet has been performing this version, developed and choreographed by artistic director Stanton Welch, since 2016.
Using around 75 pounds of faux snow during its November 29-December 29 run, the opulent staging transports the audience from Clara's Victorian home to the magical Land of Sweets. The entire company of 61 dancers appears in the production, along with 344 young dancers from the community and Houston Ballet Academy.
"The Nutcracker is for everyone, transcending age and culture," says Welch. "It's a tradition of warmth and togetherness that we take great pride in sharing with our community."
Three of the performances are dedicated to student matinees, which help expose children to the arts. Fifteen performances will also have the option for an $80 add-on VIP experience that includes a character meet-and-greet.
Even if you can't tell a pas de bourrée from a jeté, you can still marvel at the ballet's Christmas tree, which grows to reach 39 feet during the show, and fantastical costumes created for the 45 mortal characters and 237 fantasy creatures. More than 1,000 yards of netting alone was used to create the tutus and petticoats.
More than 75,000 ballet-goers attend the production each year — will you be one of them?
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Houston Ballet's The Nutcracker runs at the Wortham Theater Center from November 29-December 29. Tickets start at $30, and can be purchased by calling 713-227-2787 or visiting the website.
Houston Ballet principal Melody Mennite as Clara.
