Isabel Casper

The annual Milwaukee Ballet Nutcracker performance has been popular for years. Since originating in Milwaukee in 1977, around 25,000 audience members each season have been enjoying this show. With twenty different days to catch the performance, people are to see the show on multiple occasions. Despite the success of this iconic traditional performance, Michael Pink opted to change the performance in 2023. 

The dances are always the best part of the performance. Kriste Del Verne, a dance teacher for the Milwaukee Ballet Nutcracker performance, said that she taught the “Capital City dance and Balloons.” Those dances take place after the swan dance and the Jack’s dance. There are many other dances that take place in the two hour show. 

The outfits are also a big hit of the show. Every character has a different outfit, and there are numerous characters in the performance. Lula, one of the ballerinas, mentioned that “my party boy costume is like a suit …but it’s orange and it has green details and I have … black like ballet boots. They look like boots but are flexible so we can point out toes and stuff. I also have a wig” She has a red wig to wear. She also explained her other costume for the capital city scene; she has a poofy dress with lots of layers. The dress is green with blue details and has a headpiece that she said, “makes me look like a baby.” These aren’t the only costumes though. Isabel, another ballerina, shared that her costume includes a red coat, claws, and a corset. She is portraying a rat in the performance.

Despite the amazing dances and unique costumes, these dancers experience ups and downs while performing and preparing for the show. Mars, one of the dancers, explained that he can’t see while wearing the mouse’s head. The costumes may look nice, but there are always disadvantages. Many of the dancers interviewed replied that their corsets also make it hard to breathe. Lula also mentioned, “my teachers yelled at me a lot because I didn’t always have the steps, and also acting is a REALLY big part of the nutcracker because otherwise the Nutcracker wouldn’t be as exciting, and acting in front of other people is sometimes nerve-racking but I also learn to do that over time.” Practice also takes up a lot of time. Lula practices two times a week for two hours each added with the regular rehearsals. Mars explained that he practices for 40 minutes every Saturday and typically fifteen minutes a day at home. The Nutcracker isn’t all bad for the dancer though. When asked if she likes her directors, Isabel responded with, “Yes, they are all amazing people and so funny and really great people to be around.” The season also allows people to make new friends with new dancers.

This year, seventh grade students at St. Robert got to see their fellow students, Lula and Isabel, perform in the Nutcracker. In total, thirty four students and two teachers got to see the performance. Anna, one of the students who went to see the performance with her class, stated that “my favorite part was when the rats attacked at the first scene when they were in the living room.” This is one of the fan favorites. Wynn, Anna’s classmate, agreed with her. Anna also said that the performance was good “because the costumes were very detailed and expressed the character nicely, and each outfit matched the scenes. The actors and ballet dancers did a very good job at their roles through their expressions and motions.” Despite how much the students enjoyed skipping school to watch this, there were some moments that they didn’t enjoy. Wynn didn’t like the purple suited guy-the nutcracker- that was in every scene. 

Although there are many bumps in the road in every direction, the nutcracker is always a performance that is enjoyed. The dancers and audience always have a good time watching this delightful performance.