What: NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet
Where: Jesse Auditorum
When: Dec. 10
Cost: $63-87
Website: nutcracker.com
For over three decades, people around the country have experienced the Christmas magic of Talmi Entertainment’s NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet. This year, the enchanting show is returning to more than 100 cities nationwide, including Columbis, bringing international artists and talent to our own backyard.
Dan Talmi, one of the producers of the ballet, says the beauty of this show is seeing the diverse, highly trained group of artists and performers from Japan, Kazakhstan, the United Kingdom, the United States and more come together to present the magic of Christmas. “We’ve got incredible performers, “Talmi says. “The deck is stacked with international cast members who are the highest level of their craft.”
The production value does not end with the onstage performance. Behind the scenes, all the costumes are meticulously hand-sewn and the sets are painted by hand, reflecting countless hours of work from a dedicated crew. “You have this really unusual blend of high European traditional art and new technology, including moving, intelligent lighting,” Talmi says. “We also have acrobatics and hand balancing. As our production guys say, it’s a three-truck show in a one-truck footprint.”
The magic of this show goes beyond the stage, Occasional meet-and-greets allow the dancers to connect with their young audiences. “It’s not an easy project, so when you get a fresh-faced young person who’s really excited about this, it reminds you what the magic is really about and what you’re doing,” Talmi says.
The program proudly partners with Dance Arts of Columbia, creating an exciting gateway for aspiring young dancers in the community to begin their own journey. Many of the current cast members began dancing at age six or seven, and some were discovered through nationwide audition tours held at local partner studios. “That’s where the local kids are having an opportunity to learn the chorcography and be in the show alongside the professional cast, ” Talmi says. “It’s all about getting people oft the couch, away from the screens, connected with other people.”
The stop in Columbia is in the middle of the 120-show tour. Once the team makes it to that last show, there is a new feeling in the air. “You get to the final show, and then all of a sudden, everybody’s fully electric and alive again because they know that they’ve climbed the mountain, conquered the beast and are flying home soon,” Talmi says. “It’s a very emotional experience.”
Talmi says he and the crew are excited to make Columbia a part of this tour once again, reflecting on the first time the show made it to the middle of the Show-Me State. “The energy, the vibe of the town, is just fantastic,” Talmi says. “What comes to mind is just that booming downtown. The venue is fantastic and the university has always been a great supporter of our production.”
This popular holiday production is stopping in Columbia on Dec. 10. Last year, the show did sell out, so make sure to secure your spot by going to nutcracker.com/tickets so you don’t miss out on the magic.
