photo credit: Wilton Dance Studio Facebook
Nothing captures the Christmas spirit quite like the appearance of The Nutcracker performances. This quintessential Christmas ballet, which highlights the music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (based on the 1816 story “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King,” for those looking to impress at their next cocktail party), has been interpreted by generations of ballet dancers throughout the world on stages great and small.
While performing in this ballet is a rite of passage for many dancers, it is also an annual tradition for many to attend a live performance. Wilton and surrounding towns have no shortage of Nutcracker productions to choose from in the coming weeks. GOOD Morning Wilton has compiled a list of productions either staged here in Wilton or featuring Wilton dancers. Please verify performance times, dates, ticket prices and other details on websites listed below.
Wilton
- Saturday, Dec. 14 at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 15 at 1pm and 4 pm at the Wilton Playshop.
- Saturday, Dec. 7 at 4 p.m. Conservatory dancers will perform highlights from the show at the Wilton Library at no cost. Register on the library website.
Wilton Dance Studio: Sunday, Dec. 8 at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the Clune Center at Wilton High School.
The Walter Schalk School of Dance: While not a traditional performance of The Nutcracker, this Holiday Spectacular features elements from the classic ballet. Many Wilton dancers are featured. Saturday, Dec. 14th at 2 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 15th at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Clune Center.
New Canaan
New England Dance Theater (NEAD):
- Friday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 7 at 11 a.m. (a “children’s performance” which is shorter and more interactive) and 4 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 8 at 4 p.m.. All performances at New Canaan High School Auditorium.
Stamford
Connecticut Ballet: Saturday, Dec. 14 and Sunday, Dec. 15, Saturday, Dec. 21 and Sunday, Dec. 22, all performances at 2 p.m., Stamford Center for the Arts. For ticket information, visit www.scalive.org .
Westport
Ballet Etudes Company of Norwalk: Saturday, Dec. 7, Sunday, Dec. 8, and Saturday, Dec. 14, performances at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. each day. Presented at the Westport Country Playhouse. For tickets and more information, call the Westport Playhouse box office at 203-227-4177 or www.westportplayhouse.org.
