Here’s When You Can See ‘The Nutcracker’ This Month in Central Maine

If you have never been to a performance of The Nutcracker, then you are definitely missing out. I remember decades ago when my sister, Michelle, danced for local legend Kelty Colling at Kennebec Dance Centre.

Each and every year there was a big performance of The Nutcracker which took place in the massive auditorium at the 'old' Cony High School on the rotary in Augusta. I distinctly remember being a young kid and learning all about The Nutcracker as i munched on my salty popcorn from the concession stand.

But how did The Nutcracker come to be? And more importantly, what made this production so globally popular over the years? Let's take a deep-dive, shall we?

According to Nutcracker.Com, yes they have their own website, The Nutcracker is a famous ballet composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (say that 10 times fast) and is based on E.T.A. Hoffmann's story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. It was first performed way back in 1892, it tells the story of Clara, a young girl who gets a nutcracker doll at Christmas.

The classic storyline continues when the doll comes to life, battles the Mouse King and then transforms into a prince who takes Clara to the magical Land of Sweets. Loved by folks arounf the world for its enchanting music and festive themes, it is a holiday classic performed both in Maine, and around the world alike.

The website goes on to explain that The Nutcracker became associated with Christmas largely due to its holiday themes and iconic scenes that portray holiday celebrations. Originally, the ballet wasn't a Christmas tradition, but its connection to the season grew over time.

According to The Kennebec Journal, the Bossov Ballet is back again this year performing the classic dance recital at The Waterville Opera House. The production is slated to run at 7p on December 13th and 14th and at 2p on December 14th and 15th.

Natalya Getman, artistic director of The Nutcracker, said in part about the production,

“Our Nutcracker is more than a performance; it’s a community tradition and a rite of passage for our dancers. This year, we are happy to welcome many new faces to our cast, with dancers joining us from across the U.S., Mexico, and Japan. Their diverse backgrounds bring fresh energy to the production, making this year’s Nutcracker special.”

Tickets are $39 for adults and $34 for kids and seniors. You can secure your tickets to one of the performances by CLICKING HERE.