Family Vegas Blog

A few weeks ago I was invited to Blue Line Studios, home of where the magic is built for the highly anticipated, brand-new production of The Nutcracker. It was such an honor! Learning how the sets are made, the craftsmanship behind the intricate designs and listening to Artistic Director, James Canfield, was very inspiring. It is unbelievable the amount of talent and creative energy that goes into a production of this size, and I’m excited to share the behind the scenes low-down with my Vegas blog readers.

With an original production featuring new sets, costumes and surprises that have yet to be revealed, The Nutcracker is sure to become a Vegas favorite and a holiday family tradition for years to come. The Nutcracker, premiered by Nevada Ballet Theatre, is opening on December 15th at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts.

At the studio, the Design team spoke a bit about the costume designs and they sound simple divine (check out those sketches above). We were able to see the different “cells” of the set, which are designed to fly (yes, I said FLY!) high above, breaking apart the main house into separate rooms and towers. The iconic clock and Christmas tree will also grow to 30 feet in the air! Certainly, The Nutcracker set designs are engineering marvels that you won’t want to miss. In addition, sitting front and center for all of the press to enjoy, was the beautiful, life size rocking horse that Clara will ride up into the sky and she enters her dreams and imaginations. Even just half completed, the rocking horse was a beautiful work of art.

But the most inspiring of experiences was listing to Artistic Director James Canfield speak about his exaggerate perspective and creative journey to transform the classic tale of The Nutcracker into a version themed as a continual thread of time and the vivid imagination of a child. His passion and dedication to this production was heart felt and honest, and truly created in me a desire to know more about the classical piece of art that so many people love and enjoy. I’m also very proud of the fact that Vegas was chosen as the location to debut this amazing production is testament to the growing culture that is emerging within my city.

Every world class city has a great ballet company and not one of them is without a production of The Nutcracker. The Nutcracker is a way of life for every company, large or small. There is no other work in the ballet repertoire that embraces the community it serves by extending something unique and beautiful.” – James Canfield

The Nutcracker is playing at The Smith Center beginning December 15th. Ticket prices range, but I am super excited to share with my Vegas blog readers a 10% discount code! The minimum age requirement for kids is three, and while Alina is a very attentive girl, she will be just shy of three years old (by just a few weeks, actually). I still haven’t decided if I will take her, but am still excited to enjoy the production myself. This is a holiday tradition that I am excited to share with my family, and daughter especially. (Although James Canfield made it a point to say that young gentlemen are sure to love the new production of The Nutcracker even more than the original.)

Does your family love The Nutcracker? Do you have a family tradition to enjoy the arts together during the holidays?