The Nutcracker is a Christmas tradition in Milwaukee, hosted each year by the Milwaukee Ballet. The performance lasts about two hours and fifteen minutes. The ballet is about a young girl who becomes friends with a nutcracker that comes to life on Christmas Eve and starts a battle with the evil mouse king.
Micheal Pink, the director, has rewritten the ballet, bringing a new version of the classic story to audiences this winter. Micheal Pink says his version of the Nutcracker will feel familiar but inventive at the same time. Pink also stated in an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “There’s a lot of homage paid to the original version and it’s about preserving tradition and making sure that people leave the theater with wide eyes and excitement, saying ‘Oh my goodness – I never thought it could be better than the last one.” (Milwaukee Magazine).
Isabel Casper, a young performer in the Nutcracker, says, “I feel very proud that I made it in the show and that I got in the 20 people that made it in the Nutcracker out of 107 dancers.” Casper also says, “My favorite part about the Nutcracker is definitely the people there. They are all kind, funny, and caring. They are always there for you no matter what you do.” Casper plays the role of a mini soldier in the performance which shows up during the fight of the evil mouse king. The mini soldier fights the evil mouse king’s minions.
The cast has been preparing long and hard for this amazing performance, Casper says “We started rehearsing on September 20 and our opening night is on December seventh.” The performance is a big Christmas tradition around the city of Milwaukee, and this performance is going to be bigger and better. Families all over Milwaukee are very excited to watch the re-imagined version of Milwaukee Ballet’s Nutcracker. The Nutcracker is coming to an end in the next few weeks, so you better catch it soon!
