KC Ballet "Nutcracker" review by timlovestheatre

A Partnership of Old and New at Kansas City Ballet's "The Nutcracker"
Rating: 5

The Nutcracker
Kansas City Ballet

Kansas City's performing arts scene has exploded with holiday spirit. All over town old classics are dusted off and new traditions made. At the Kansas City Ballet, they are making the best use of the old and the new. The fifty-four year old company has a lot of "new" on their dance card this year. In August, they moved into the Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity. The building which had formerly been the power house for Union Station was also designed by the station's architect Jarvis Hunt and is widely considered one of the most beautiful centers for dance in the world.

In addition to a new place to call home, the Ballet also has a new place to perform, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. "We are extremely excited to bring this annual treat to the Muriel Kauffman Theater," stated Jeffrey J. Bentley, executive director of the company. "For the past 38 years, we have produced this sumptuous holiday classic to hundreds of thousands of adults and children in a variety of theaters in the downtown area. But this year, this much anticipated event will be viewed for the first time on the spectacular Kauffman stage which has opened to rave reviews for its design, acoustical sophistication and audience amenities."

With so much attention on the Kauffman and the companies presenting there, the Ballet brings a new life to their holiday favorite. For traditionalists the choreography from former artistic director Todd Bolender remains mostly intact as do some of the familiar scenic pieces. But they remained as fresh and sharp as their first appearance. These traditional trappings were enhanced by some brilliant lighting and other effects that transported us along with our young heroine Clara. The costumes were extremely vivid and sharp and the only words that can really describe them are stolen from food descriptors like "luscious" and "mouthwatering". A true banquet for your inner sweet tooth!

The performance featured the Kansas City Ballet professional company and students from both the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance and the Ballet's own school. All of the dancers were delightful and the children's cast was particularly remarkable due to their evident joy and overflowing energy. The professional troupe demonstrated amazing feats of grace, dance and athleticism with some moments that were nearly show-stopping!

The Kansas City Symphony under the direction of Ramona Pansegrau provided Tchaikovsy's score beautifully! The acoustics in this new performing arts space allowed even some of the quieter instruments to be heard clearly and the musical performance alone was an event! The partnership between the Ballet and Symphony is a marvelous example of their collaborative spirit.

The beautiful 1,800 seat Muriel Kauffman Theatre evokes the old European opera houses and becomes an extension of the scenery onstage. The golden accented seating area reflects the performance's beauty and energy and carries the holiday spirit to all!

"The Nutcracker" runs through December 24th. Tickets may be purchased by telephone at 816.931.2232, in person at the Kansas City Ballet Box Office located at the Bolender Center at 500 W. Pershing (west end of the Union Station campus) or with "Select Your Own Seat" capability online at www.kcballet.org. Tickets also may be purchased at the Kauffman Center Box Office and website. Visit the Kansas City Ballet website for more information about performance times, seating options and parking at www.kcballet.org. Ticket prices range from $29 to $119. There is a $6.00 Kauffman Center facilities/service fee per ticket.