Grand Rapids Ballet reinvents ‘The Nutcracker’ with ‘Polar Express’ author

The Grand Rapids Ballet is bringing in three nationally recognized talents to revamp “The Nutcracker” – author Chris Van Allsburg, Tony Award-winning set designer Eugene Lee, and world famous choreographer Val Caniparoli.

Chris Van Allsburg is a leading children’s author, best known for “The Polar Express” and “Jumanji.” Both “The Nutcracker” and Van Allsburg’s children’s stories capture the special magic of childhood. Van Allsburg’s vision will reinvent “The Nutcracker” in a way that pays homage to the original story in a fresh, engaging manner for today’s audience.

By Adrienne Warber | The Examiner
Read the story at Examiner | Published: March 27, 2014