The Nutcracker 2018

Mice, a Rat King, a heroine, a hero, a magician and all nature create the elegance of the American Midwest Ballet’s latest interpretation of The Nutcracker, as their story is expressed through Tchaikovsky’s music and creativity strictly through dance.
The story is a Christmas Eve dream.  The night begins at a Christmas party in the family’s lavish home.  Elegant dresses, beautiful women, everyone at their best except for Clara’s little brother, Fritz.   The highlight of the evening is the arrival of their uncle, a magician, Drosselmeyer who gives Fritz, a trumpet and Clara, a decoratively elaborate nutcracker who resembles a toy soldier.  Being a little brother, Fritz is not content with his gift and fights over the nutcracker with Clara.   Imagine her disappointment when it is broken.   Fortunately, Uncle Drosselmeyer is able to fix and return the nutcracker doll to Clara.
As the party closes, the children go to bed.   This begins the night of Clara’s enchanting dream.
The Nutcracker uses no spoken words, only movement through dance..   The story, wordless, is elaborate, colorful, engaging, and completely hypnotic as the dream unfolds.
American Midwest Ballet presented their version of The Nutcracker Sunday afternoon at Iowa Western Community College.    This magical afternoon achieved a dream.   Yes, this show is different and better than previous production, a task I thought of as impossible
Molly Kimmey is Clara this year.   She is enchanting as well as a superb dancer.  Also, Tchaikovsky, the dog from the Nebraska Humane Society displayed his acting debut with being curious, well-behaved and proving to be an excellent dog for any family wishing to adopt him.   I really could not identify the amateurs from the professionals.   Obviously the work with the extra dancers this year was outstanding.   Every step is perfection and artistic.
To create this enormous production, requires intense work of numerous talented individuals while integrating local talent along with the professional dancers.  The choreography by Erika Overturff and Matthew Lovegood is elegant while still creative.  With both children as well as professional dancers, this is the first time I have witnessed a perfect performance.   The show is absolutely enchanting.
Every aspect of this year’s The Nutcracker is perfection.   This year’s production is different than previous years being more elaborate as well as completely immersing the audience into a trance of beauty.
The sets were elaborate and detailed, moving smoothly and almost invisibly through their dances. American Midwest Ballet unquestionably always has the best costumes which are phenomenally elaborate and expressive of the individuals and the story.
How do you tell if a performance is outstanding? You just need to listen to the audience. When the audience is completely silent and not moving for an entire program, you know that the show is perfectly entertaining everyone.
The show lasts about ninety minutes along with a twenty minute intermission.   I recommend that the show is appropriate for mature, quiet toddlers and anyone and everyone older.
The Nutcracker is something that we see every year. Why? The Nutcracker is the perfect example of holiday magic in a beautiful story without the chaos and noise of the holidays. It's Christmas as it should be, even if it is in our dreams. With the American Midwest Ballet company, the story is better, bigger each year.   Yes, the dances are different this year.   I find it amazing that they are better than in previous years.
Additional performances will be December 8th and 9th at the Orpheum Theater in Omaha.  Ticket-prices range from $25 to $59 and can be purchased at the Orpheum or the Holland Center, or through ticketmaster.com or by calling (402) 345-0606.
For a memorable and enthralling experience, see American Midwest Ballet’s The Nutcracker.
Their shows have always excelled with intertwining tradition with creative artistry in telling this traditional Russian Christmas story.