Visions of Sugarplums: Ballet Austin's The Nutcracker

So the plot, based on a story written in 1816 by E.T.A Hoffman, doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, but that’s why it’s the perfect backdrop for a feel-good escapist ballet. Watch out, hardened hipsters; mischievous little kids stuffed into party clothes, swirling snowflakes, and lots of lithe, lean, kick-ass ballerinas could possibly cause you to cast aside your recession-fueled cynicism for a couple of charmed hours.

Stephen Mills, the widely-recognized and industrious Artistic Director of Ballet Austin, has put together a production that transcends the possibly tiresome aspects of a traditional and familiar ballet. Potentially slow portions of the show (we’ve seen other translations of the Party Scene that left us snoozing in our seats) are quick and fun thanks to Mills’ light choreography. Snazzy costumes (everything from sparkly tutus to a creepy three-headed Rat King) up the “ahhh” factor gracefully provided by a talented cast of dancers, and the Austin Symphony Orchestra artfully handles Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky‘s oft-recycled and frequently reused score. Advertisers and filmmakers have exploited these melodies with reckless abandon, but hearing them skillfully performed live makes them sound exhilarating and new again.

The Snow Scene (which contains our favorite Tchaikovsky pas de deux) might be your only chance to see beautiful snowflakes fall from the sky in Austin this winter, and it provides the night’s first taste of awe-inspiring dancing thanks to an impressive corps de ballet and two capable soloists (Allisyn Paino and Christopher Swaim danced opening night). Act II packs plenty of punches (pirouettes?) as well; rowdy Russian dancers, sexy Arabians and a fantastic Sugar Plum Fairy (Aara Krumpe) made us feel that all was as it should be in dreamland.

We have long been wholeheartedly enamored of the ballet, but realize that it’s not for everyone. That being said, there’s not much reason to miss this opportunity, Austinites. Placing a few bucks into the local dance economy will make you feel like less of a scrooge (the cheapest tickets can be had for a mere $12), and if you ask us, getting all dressed up, checking out the swanky new Long Center, partaking of some holiday cheer and learning a little more about Rahm Emanuel,’s high school pastime all qualify as worthwhile ways to spend a December evening. Call us romantic, but we certainly left with a spring in our step. And, being that the show is over by ten, there’s still plenty of time afterwards to hit up Creekside.