THE NUTCRACKER
December 9-11 & 16-18, 2022 at DeVos Performance Hall
Get into the holiday spirit as Grand Rapids Ballet dancers grace the stage at DeVos Performance Hall for our annual production of The Nutcracker! Enjoy captivating choreography by Val Caniparoli before a magical and immersive set, imagined by Grand Rapidian Chris Van Allsburg, designed by world-famous Eugene Lee. Join the elegant Sugar Plum Fairy and her gallant Cavalier as they guide Clara through the Land of the Sweets. Along the way, meet menacing mice and brave soldiers in an epic Battle Scene, and join festive celebrations as Clara is mesmerized by a fantastic waltz with live accompaniment from the Grand Rapids Symphony to Tchaikovsky’s magical score.
The Nutcracker is generously sponsored by Foster Swift and Meijer.
THE NUTCRACKER | SNEAK PEAK
THE NUTCRACKER | CREATORS
Val Caniparoli
Biography
Val Caniparoli’s versatility has made him one of the most sought-after American choreographers internationally.
He has contributed to the repertoires of more than 50 dance companies, including Finnish National Ballet, BalletMet, BalletX, Kansas City Ballet, Richmond Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Boston Ballet, Northern Ballet Theatre, Pennsylvania Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Hong Kong Ballet, Scottish Ballet, Smuin Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Ballet West (resident choreographer 1993-97), Washington Ballet, Israel Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Singapore Dance Theatre, Atlanta Ballet, State Theatre Ballet of South Africa, and Tulsa Ballet, (resident choreographer 2001-06). One of his most popular ballets, Lambarena, was nominated for the Prix Benois de la Danse in 1997 for Best Choreography and was also featured on Sesame Street with dancers Lorena Feijoo and Lorna Feijoo.
Chris Van Allsburg
Biography
Chris Van Allsburg, a Grand Rapids native, is an American illustrator and writer of children’s books. He has won two Caldecott Medals for U.S. picture book illustration, for Jumanji and The Polar Express, both of which he also wrote; both were later adapted as successful motion pictures.
Eugene Lee
Biography
Eugene Lee is a Tony Award-winning set designer who was born and raised in Wisconsin. He received BFA degrees from Carnegie Mellon and the Art Institute of Chicago and an MFA from Yale School of Drama. His famed set designs include The Nutcracker, Sweeney Todd, Candide, Showboat, Ragtime, Wicked, A Streetcar Named Desire, and Glengarry Glen Ross, among others.
Peter Tchaikovsky
Biography
Peter (Pyotr) Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) was a Russian composer whose works included symphonies, concertos, operas, ballets, and chamber music. Tchaikovsky was born on May 7th, 1840 in Votkinsk, a small town in the Russian Empire. He displayed exceptional musical ability from an early age, improvising at the piano and composing his first song in 1844, aged four. Tchaikovsky persuaded his father that music was his future and he began composition lessons with Anton Rubinstein in 1861. Between 1871 and 1876 he produced a series of great works, including Swan Lake (1876) and the First Piano Concerto (1875), which established him as Russia’s leading composer. By 1887, he was conducting his own music to great acclaim and producing such works as the Sixth Symphony, the ‘Pathetique’ in 1893 (the year of his death), and the ballets The Sleeping Beauty (1890) and The Nutcracker (1892).
Patricia Barker
Biography
Patricia Barker was born in Richland, Washington, USA, where she received her early ballet training. She later studied on scholarship at Boston Ballet School and Pacific Northwest Ballet School. At age 17, she joined Pacific Northwest Ballet, under the directorship of Kent Stowell and Francia Russell, and quickly rose to the rank of Principal Dancer. Barker became Artistic Director of Grand Rapids Ballet and Director of the Grand Rapids Ballet School in 2010. She curated a compelling and dynamic repertoire ranging from full length classical ballets such as Petipa’s Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty, to neo-classical masterworks including Balanchine’s Serenade and Four Temperaments, Tharp’s Nine Sinatra Songs and Taylor’s Company B. Barker was appointed as the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Artistic Director in June 2017.
SPONSORED BY
CLARA’S NUTCRACKER PARTY
Grand Rapids Ballet is thrilled to host a one-of-a-kind holiday celebration, made just for kids! Clara’s Nutcracker Party, taking place Sunday, December 11, 2022, is a joyous event where your child can meet their favorite characters from Grand Rapids Ballet’s The Nutcracker in a fun and festive fantasy land! This incredible holiday experience includes:
- – A fun arts and crafts activity
- – Brunch that is made to please both children and adults, including festive desserts and mimosas for 21+!
- – A reading of The Nutcracker tale by Fox 17’s Todd Chance
- – A live performance by Grand Rapids Ballet School
- – An interactive photo booth that allows direct posts to social media plus a printed copy
- – Tasty Land of the Sweets treats that your child can take home as our gift
Guests are encouraged to join us following Clara’s Nutcracker Party for a matinee performance of The Nutcracker right next door at DeVos Performance Hall.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Please know, DeVos Performance Hall instituted a no bag policy, which includes bags, backpacks, or purses other than those required for medical reasons or diaper bags. Small clutches, up to 12x9x3 will be permitted. Bags in the medical/essential category will be screened in a secondary screening area. The No bag policy reduces contact between guests and security staff by eliminating the need to search these items. This is part of ongoing efforts to promote a contact-free experience. Learn more.
