• Seating: section A, B, C
• Click to view all available dates, showtimes, and seating levels

The Nutcracker

Based on a novel by 19th-century romantic fabulist E.T.A. Hoffman, The Nutcracker weaves a magical tale of holiday adventure around one of the most recognizable scores in the ballet repertoire. It begins when young Clara receives a nutcracker from her godfather, a wizardly toymaker named Drosselmeyer. Sneaking downstairs to see the toy after everyone else has gone to bed, she suddenly finds herself caught in the middle of a pitched battle between the toys and an army of mice. After she and the nutcracker defeat the Mouse King, Clara and her now-living prince venture into the Land of Snow and the Land of Sweets to celebrate.

For its 58th production of the holiday favorite, Colorado Ballet is putting on an especially lavish show featuring 300 costumes, 31 company dancers, 25 studio company dancers, and 76 academy dancers. All will be performing against a backdrop of scenery by José Varona while the Colorado Ballet Orchestra fills the theater with Tchaikovsky’s dazzlingly inventive score.

Photo Credit: Francisco Estevez by Allen Birnbach