A holiday tradition is making its way back to the historic Hattiesburg Saenger Theater as “The Nutcracker” will be performed on Dec. 13-14 at 7 p.m. both nights.
For many families, an evening out to see the two-act classical ballet is a major tradition for their holiday season. With the well-known music, beautiful costumes, and graceful moves, “The Nutcracker” always brings a little more excitement to the season of Christmas. Once again, the fabulous directorial team of Gorskaya-Hartwick Productions will lead the renowned World Ballet Series in their traditional and timeless version of “The Nutcracker.”
The exquisite World Ballet Series is comprised of 50 talented ballet dancers from a variety of cultures and countries. Their diversity comes together to bring about a unique thing of beauty. Through dance, they seek to bring peace and hope to the world. Despite the differences in their background, they unite beautifully as they rejuvenate their version of this classic holiday tradition.
“Everyone is familiar with the enchanting music of Tchaikovsky and the timeless tale of ‘The Nutcracker’, but we always try to bring in a little something different every year into our productions to keep them fresh and entertaining,” Producer Gulya Hartwick said. “Many times, it is the Mouse King that will steal the show, but you must watch closely to catch a few different changes here and there. That’s what really keeps this ballet so magical and intriguing.”
Fellow Producer Sasha Gorskaya has combined her talents with Hartwick to help the world embrace unity and peace in their productions.
“We don’t just perform ballet at the World Ballet Series—we celebrate it,” Gorskaya said. “Our rendition of ‘The Nutcracker’ is not merely a performance; it is an experience, a journey into a world of dreams, courage, and the magic of the holiday season.”
Set to the unforgettable music of Tchaikovsky, the stage will feature over 150 radiantly hand-crafted costumes and breathtakingly lavish hand-painted sets in brilliant colors in a generations-old style of art. Of course, the iconic choreography of Lev Ivanov and the talented dancers will be the centerpiece of the show, though.
Take a magical trip with Clara on an exciting night of Christmas adventures. After the beautiful nutcracker, Drosselmeyer gave to the sweet child was broken by her brother, Clara cries herself to sleep but awakes in a world of wonder. She is taken on an enchanted journey through the Land of the Sweets and is entertained by the thrilling, iconic dances performed by the famous Waltz of Flowers and the exquisite Sugar Plum Fairy. There is also a bit of humor from the interesting characters of Mother Ginger and her many children and the army of mice led by the Mouse King as he tries to defeat the Prince who has accompanied Clara on her journey. After the Mouse King is defeated, the prince saves the evening as he protects Clara from the vicious rodents.
“This festive season, we extend a warm invitation to join us on this remarkable journey,” Hartwick said. “Be a part of the magic, the drama, and the sheer joy as we present a story that, though centuries old, continues to capture hearts and inspire dreams. With us, you’ll discover a world where dreams materialize, courage triumphs, and the beauty of ballet reigns supreme.”
For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.