George Balanchine’s

The Nutcracker®

December 8 – 26, 2018 | Keller Auditorium

This show has passed.

222 SW Clay Street, Portland, Oregon 97201

Sometimes the best journeys are the ones we take to familiar places – filled with warmth, tradition, and new memories waiting to be made.

Oregon Ballet Theatre’s annual performance of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker ® has brought joy to the holidays for 15 years. Join Marie and her charming Prince as they are swept away by dancing snowflakes, to a magical land of sweets ruled by the Sugarplum Fairy – all to Tchaikovsky’s brilliant score!

Oregon Ballet Theatre’s Nutcracker features magnificent scenery and elaborate costumes. The company remains one of only a handful in the nation with rights to produce George Balanchine’s version of this holiday classic. OBT is pleased to announce the addition of two more shows this year featuring the OBT Orchestra performing Tchaikovsky’s magical score live.

Performance Times

Featuring 12 performances with the OBT Orchestra

= indicates a performance with live music featuring the OBT Orchestra

= indicates performances with Audio Description

Matinee Shows

Evening Shows

Saturday, December 8 – 2:00 PM
Limited Seating
Saturday, December 8 – 7:30 PM
Limited Seating
Sunday, December 9 – 2:00 PM
Limited Seating
Thursday, December 13 – 7:30 PM
Friday, December 14 – 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 15 – 2:00 PM
Limited Seating
Saturday, December 15 – 7:30 PM
Limited Seating
Sunday, December 16 – 2:00 PM Sunday, December 16 – 7:30 PM
Thursday, December 20 – 2:00 PM Thursday, December 20 – 7:30 PM
Friday, December 21 – 2:00 PM Friday, December 21 – 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 22 – 2:00 PM
Limited Seating
Saturday, December 22 – 7:30 PM
Limited Seating
Sunday, December 23 – 2:00 PM
Limited Seating
Sunday, December 23 – 7:30 PM
Limited Seating
Monday, December 24 – 12:00 PM
Wednesday, December 26 – 2:00 PM

Nutcracker and Cinderella Mini Package
Give the gift of dance this holiday season with two classical story ballets.

Video

Photos

Previews & Reviews

Hey, Do My Job! Nick Krukpe leaves the sideline to train with the Oregon Ballet Theatre
KPTV | December 13, 2018

Fresh, vibrant, still the ‘Nutcracker’
Oregon ArtsWatch | December 12, 2018

Oregon Mastering the Magic: 5 Dancers On How They Manage The Nutcracker’s More Cumbersome Props and Costumes
Pointe Magazine | December 11, 2018

Oregon Ballet Theatre removes ‘yellowface’ from ‘The Nutcracker’
KATU | December 9, 2018

Oregon Ballet Theatre: Not Just Another Nutcracker
Critical Dance | December 7, 2017

In stride: a tight, bright ‘Nutcracker’
Oregon ArtsWatch | December 14, 2016

Nothing says holiday like ‘Nutcracker’
Portland Tribune | December 8, 2016

7 things to know about Oregon Ballet Theatre’s ‘Nutcracker’
The Oregonian | December 4, 2016

Casting

Subject to Change

Week 1, Dec 8-9

DROSSELMEIER
Michael Linsmeier 12/8 at 2:00PM
Chauncey Parsons 12/8 at 7:30PM
Brian Simcoe 12/9 at 2:00PM

SUGARPLUM FAIRY
Ansa Capizzi 12/8 at 2:00PM
Xuan Cheng 12/8 at 7:30PM
Eva Burton 12/9 at 2:00PM

CAVALIER
Chauncey Parsons 12/8 at 2:00PM
Brian Simcoe 12/8 at 7:30PM
Matthew Pawlicki-Sinclair 12/9 at 2:00PM

HARLEQUIN
Abigail Diedrich 12/8 at 2:00PM
Zuzu Metzler 12/8 at 7:30PM
Hannah Davis 12/9 at 2:00PM

COLUMBINE
Jessica Lind 12/8 at 2:00PM
Emily Parker 12/8 at 7:30PM
Alexa Domenden 12/9 at 2:00PM

SOLDIER DOLL
Thomas Baker 12/8 at 2:00PM
Adam Hartley 12/8 at 7:30PM
Christopher Kaiser 12/9 at 2:00PM

HOT CHOCOLATE
Makino Hayashi & Colby Parsons 12/8 at 2:00PM
Kimberly Fromm & Adam Hartley 12/8 at 7:30PM
Xuan Cheng & Michael Linsmeier 12/9 at 2:00PM

COFFEE
Xuan Cheng 12/8 at 2:00PM
Emily Parker 12/8 at 7:30PM
Kimberly Fromm 12/9 at 2:00PM

TEA
Adam Hartley 12/8 at 2:00PM
Matthew Pawlicki-Sinclair 12/8 at 7:30PM
Theodore Watler 12/9 at 2:00PM

CANDYCANE
Thomas Baker 12/8 at 2:00PM
Michael Linsmeier 12/8 at 7:30PM
Christopher Kaiser 12/9 at 2:00PM

MARZIPAN
Eva Burton 12/8 at 2:00PM
Kelsie Nobriga 12/8 at 7:30PM
Katherine Monogue 12/9 at 2:00PM

MOTHER GINGER
Posion Waters 12/8 at 2:00PM
Posion Waters 12/8 at 7:30PM
Posion Waters 12/9 at 2:00PM

DEWDROP
Kelsie Nobriga 12/8 at 2:00PM
Kathrine Monogue 12/8 at 7:30PM
Ansa Capizzi 12/9 at 2:00PM

Week 2, Dec 13-16

DROSSELMEIER
Brian Simcoe 12/13 at 7:30PM
Colby Parsons 12/14 at 7:30PM
Brian Simcoe 12/15 at 2:00PM
Michael Linsmeier 12/15 at 7:30PM
Brian Simcoe 12/16 at 2:00PM
Colby Parsons 12/16 at 7:30PM

SUGARPLUM FAIRY
Katherine Monogue 12/13 at 7:30PM
Kelsie Nobriga 12/14 at 7:30PM
Jessica Lind 12/15 at 2:00PM
Katherine Monogue 12/15 at 7:30PM
Kelsie Nobriga 12/16 at 2:00PM
Xuan Cheng 12/16 at 7:30PM

CAVALIER
Colby Parsons 12/13 at 7:30PM
Matthew Pawlicki-Sinclair 12/14 at 7:30PM
Thomas Baker 12/15 at 2:00PM
Colby Parsons 12/15 at 7:30PM
Matthew Pawlicki-Sinclair 12/16 at 2:00PM
Brian Simcoe 12/16 at 7:30PM

HARLEQUIN
Zuzu Metzler 12/13 at 7:30PM
Hannah Davis 12/14 at 7:30PM
Zuzu Metzler 12/15 at 2:00PM
Zuzu Metzler 12/15 at 7:30PM
Hannah Davis 12/16 at 2:00PM
Hannah Davis 12/16 at 7:30PM

COLUMBINE
Jessica Lind 12/13 at 7:30PM
Emily Parker 12/14 at 7:30PM
Alexa Domenden 12/15 at 2:00PM
Jessica Lind 12/15 at 7:30PM
Emily Parker 12/16 at 2:00PM
Alexa Domenden 12/16 at 7:30PM

SOLDIER DOLL
Skye Stouber 12/13 at 7:30PM
Thomas Baker 12/14 at 7:30PM
Christopher Kaiser 12/15 at 2:00PM
Adam Hartley 12/15 at 7:30PM
Skye Stouber 12/16 at 2:00PM
Thomas Baker 12/16 at 7:30PM

HOT CHOCOLATE
Kelsie Nobriga & Christopher Kaiser 12/13 at 7:30PM
Xuan Cheng & Thomas Baker 12/14 at 7:30PM
Ansa Capizzi & Colby Parsons 12/15 at 2:00PM
Xuan Cheng & Brian Simcoe 12/15 at 7:30PM
Kimberly Fromm & Adam Hartley 12/16 at 2:00PM
Emily Parker & Michael Linsmeier 12/16 at 7:30PM

COFFEE
Xuan Cheng 12/13 at 7:30PM
Makino Hayashi 12/14 at 7:30PM
Kimberly Fromm 12/15 at 2:00PM
Xuan Cheng 12/15 at 7:30PM
Emily Parker 12/16 at 2:00PM
Jessica Lind 12/16 at 7:30PM

TEA
Michael Linsmeier 12/13 at 7:30PM
Adam Hartley 12/14 at 7:30PM
Theodore Watler 12/15 at 2:00PM
Matthew Pawlicki-Sinclair 12/15 at 7:30PM
Theodore Watler 12/16 at 2:00PM
Matthew Pawlicki-Sinclair 12/16 at 7:30PM

CANDYCANE
Brian Simcoe 12/13 at 7:30PM
Chauncey Parsons 12/14 at 7:30PM
Michael Linsmeier 12/15 at 2:00PM
Christopher Kaiser 12/15 at 7:30PM
Michael Linsmeier 12/16 at 2:00PM
Thomas Baker 12/16 at 7:30PM

MARZIPAN
Jessica Lind 12/13 at 7:30PM
Ansa Capizzi 12/14 at 7:30PM
Eva Burton 12/15 at 2:00PM
Ansa Capizzi 12/15 at 7:30PM
Jessica Lind 12/16 at 2:00PM
Kelsie Nobriga 12/16 at 7:30PM

MOTHER GINGER
Thomas Baker 12/13 at 7:30PM
Poison Waters 12/14 at 7:30PM
Poison Waters 12/15 at 2:00PM
Poison Waters 12/15 at 7:30PM
Poison Waters 12/16 at 2:00PM
Poison Waters 12/16 at 7:30PM

DEWDROP
Emily Parker 12/13 at 7:30PM
Eva Burton 12/14 at 7:30PM
Kelsie Nobriga 12/15 at 2:00PM
Emily Parker 12/15 at 7:30PM
Katherine Monogue 12/16 at 2:00PM
Ansa Capizzi 12/16 at 7:30PM

Week 3, Dec 20-24, 26

DROSSELMEIER
Brian Simcoe 12/20 at 2:00PM
Colby Parsons 12/20 at 7:30PM
Chauncey Parsons 12/21 AT 2:00PM
Colby Parsons 12/21 AT 7:30PM
Chauncey Parsons 12/22 AT 2:00PM
Michael Linsmeier 12/22 AT 7:30PM
Colby Parsons 12/23 AT 2:00PM
Chauncey Parsons 12/23 AT 7:30PM
Michael Linsmeier 12/24 AT 12:00PM
Colby Parsons 12/26 AT 2:00PM

SUGARPLUM FAIRY
Ansa Capizzi 12/20 at 2:00PM
Xuan Cheng 12/20 at 7:30PM
Eva Burton 12/21 AT 2:00PM
Jessica Lind 12/21 AT 7:30PM
Xuan Cheng 12/22 AT 2:00PM
Kelsie Nobriga 12/22 AT 7:30PM
Eva Burton 12/23 AT 2:00PM
Katherine Monogue 12/23 AT 7:30PM
Ansa Capizzi 12/24 AT 12:00PM
Xuan Cheng 12/26 AT 2:00PM

CAVALIER
Chauncey Parsons 12/20 at 2:00PM
Michael Linsmeier 12/20 at 7:30PM
Matthew Pawlicki-Sinclair 12/21 AT 2:00PM
Thomas Baker 12/21 AT 7:30PM
Michael Linsmeier 12/22 AT 2:00PM
Brian Simcoe 12/22 AT 7:30PM
Matthew Pawlicki-Sinclair 12/23 AT 2:00PM
Colby Parsons 12/23 AT 7:30PM
Chauncey Parsons 12/24 AT 12:00PM
Brian Simcoe 12/26 AT 2:00PM

HARLEQUIN
Abigail Diedrich 12/20 at 2:00PM
Hannah Davis 12/20 at 7:30PM
Zuzu Metzler 12/21 AT 2:00PM
Zuzu Metzler 12/21 AT 7:30PM
Abigail Diedrich 12/22 AT 2:00PM
Zuzu Metzler 12/22 AT 7:30PM
Hannah Davis 12/23 AT 2:00PM
Hannah Davis 12/23 AT 7:30PM
Zuzu Metzler 12/24 AT 12:00PM
Abigail Diedrich 12/26 AT 2:00PM

COLUMBINE
Jessica Lind 12/20 at 2:00PM
Emily Parker 12/20 at 7:30PM
Alexa Domenden 12/21 AT 2:00PM
Emily Parker 12/21 AT 7:30PM
Emily Parker 12/22 AT 2:00PM
Jessica Lind 12/22 AT 7:30PM
Alexa Domenden 12/23 AT 2:00PM
Emily Parker 12/23 AT 7:30PM
Alexa Domenden 12/24 AT 12:00PM
Jessica Lind 12/26 AT 2:00PM

SOLDIER DOLL
Thomas Baker 12/20 at 2:00PM
Christopher Kaiser 12/20 at 7:30PM
Adam Hartley 12/21 AT 2:00PM
Skye Stouber 12/21 AT 7:30PM
Thomas Baker 12/22 AT 2:00PM
Christopher Kaiser 12/22 AT 7:30PM
Adam Hartley 12/23 AT 2:00PM
Skye Stouber 12/23 AT 7:30PM
Adam Hartley 12/24 AT 12:00PM
Thomas Baker 12/26 AT 2:00PM

HOT CHOCOLATE
Emily Parker & Colby Parsons 12/20 at 2:00PM
Katherine Monogue & Christopher Kaiser 12/20 at 7:30PM
Xuan Cheng & Michael Linsmeier 12/21 AT 2:00PM
Makino Hayashi & Brian Simcoe 12/21 AT 7:30PM
Kelsie Nobriga & Christopher Kaiser 12/22 AT 2:00PM
Katherine Monogue & Matthew Pawlicki-Sinclair 12/22 AT 7:30PM
Makino Hayashi & Thomas Baker 12/23 AT 2:00PM
Ansa Capizzi & Christopher Kaiser 12/23 AT 7:30PM
Kelsie Nobriga & Brian Simcoe 12/24 AT 12:00PM
Kimberly Fromm & Adam Hartley 12/26 AT 2:00PM

COFFEE
Katherine Monogue 12/20 at 2:00PM
Makino Hayashi 12/20 at 7:30PM
Jessica Lind 12/21 AT 2:00PM
Katherine Monogue 12/21 AT 7:30PM
Emily Parker 12/22 AT 2:00PM
Katherine Monogue 12/22 AT 7:30PM
Jessica Lind 12/23 AT 2:00PM
Kimberly Fromm 12/23 AT 7:30PM
Makino Hayashi 12/24 AT 12:00PM
Emily Parker 12/26 AT 2:00PM

TEA
Michael Linsmeier 12/20 at 2:00PM
Adam Hartley 12/20 at 7:30PM
Theodore Watler 12/21 AT 2:00PM
Matthew Pawlicki-Sinclair 12/21 AT 7:30PM
Adam Hartley 12/22 AT 2:00PM
Theodore Watler 12/22 AT 7:30PM
Michael Linsmeier 12/23 AT 2:00PM
Adam Hartley 12/23 AT 7:30PM
Theodore Watler 12/24 AT 12:00PM
Michael Linsmeier 12/26 AT 2:00PM

CANDYCANE
Thomas Baker 12/20 at 2:00PM
Brian Simcoe 12/20 at 7:30PM
Christopher Kaiser 12/21 AT 2:00PM
Christopher Kaiser 12/21 AT 7:30PM
Thomas Baker 12/22 AT 2:00PM
Christopher Kaiser 12/22 AT 7:30PM
Brian Simcoe 12/23 AT 2:00PM
Michael Linsmeier 12/23 AT 7:30PM
Thomas Baker 12/24 AT 12:00PM
Chauncey Parsons 12/26 AT 2:00PM

MARZIPAN
Kelsie Nobriga 12/20 at 2:00PM
Ansa Capizzi 12/20 at 7:30PM
Emily Parker 12/21 AT 2:00PM
Ansa Capizzi 12/21 AT 7:30PM
Katherine Monogue 12/22 AT 2:00PM
Jessica Lind 12/22 AT 7:30PM
Emily Parker 12/23 AT 2:00PM
Kelsie Nobriga 12/23 AT 7:30PM
Emily Parker 12/24 AT 12:00PM
Eva Burton 12/26 AT 2:00PM

MOTHER GINGER
Poison Waters 12/20 at 2:00PM
Poison Waters 12/20 at 7:30PM
Colby Parsons 12/21 AT 2:00PM
Colby Parsons 12/21 AT 7:30PM
Colby Parsons 12/22 AT 2:00PM
Thomas Baker 12/22 AT 7:30PM
Colby Parsons 12/23 AT 2:00PM
Thomas Baker 12/23 AT 7:30PM
Colby Parsons 12/24 AT 12:00PM
Thomas Baker 12/26 AT 2:00PM

DEWDROP
Eva Burton 12/20 at 2:00PM
Kelsie Nobriga 12/20 at 7:30PM
Katherine Monogue 12/21 AT 2:00PM
Kelsie Nobriga 12/21 AT 7:30PM
Eva Burton 12/22 AT 2:00PM
Emily Parker 12/22 AT 7:30PM
Ansa Capizzi 12/23 AT 2:00PM
Eva Burton 12/23 AT 7:30PM
Katherine Monogue 12/24 AT 12:00PM
Ansa Capizzi 12/26 AT 2:00PM

Summary

ACT ONE
It is Christmas Eve in Germany 150 years ago: Doctor and Frau Stahlbaum, along with their children Marie and Fritz, are hosting an elegant holiday party. In a festive parlor with a splendid Christmas tree, they entertain friends and relatives with games, dances, and gifts. At the stroke of eight, an owl suddenly flaps its wings over the grandfather clock in the corner of the room; the lights flicker and fail. The party is swept up in a sense of wonder as Marie’s godfather, the mysterious Herr Drosselmeier, makes a dramatic entrance with his young nephew. They have brought life-sized dancing toys that they unveil to the delight of the assembled guests. Drosselmeier then presents Marie with a special gift: a Nutcracker.

Marie proudly shows off her new toy until Fritz, in a jealous tantrum, seizes the doll and breaks it. Drosselmeier mends the Nutcracker with his handkerchief and gives the doll to Marie, who tucks it into a toy bed beneath the Christmas tree. After a final dance, which Marie shares with the nephew, the guests say goodnight and the family goes to bed. At midnight, Marie sneaks back to look for her Nutcracker. She soon falls asleep; the room begins to change.

Giant mice scurry through the shadows while the Christmas tree and the toys beneath it grow bigger and bigger. Under a now-towering tree, the mice, led by their fierce King, do battle with the Nutcracker and his army of toy soldiers. It seems the mice will be triumphant until, at the very last moment, Marie throws her slipper at the King, distracting him long enough for the Nutcracker to run him through with his sword and seize victory. Exhausted, Marie falls onto her bed and is magically transported to the Land of Snow. There, where snowflakes dance, she is reunited with the Nutcracker, now transformed into a handsome young Prince.

ACT TWO
The Nutcracker Prince leads Marie on a journey to the Palace of the Land of Sweets, where the Sugar Plum Fairy reigns. There, the Prince tells the court how Marie saved him in his battle with the Mouse King. As a reward, the Sugar Plum Fairy seats them both upon a special throne to enjoy the dancing of Spanish Hot Chocolate, Arabian Coffee, and Tea from China. Candy Canes also perform for the two, along with Marzipan Shepherdesses, Mother Ginger and her Polichinelles, and the beautiful Dew Drop Fairy and her Flowers. As a final honor, the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier dance a majestic pas de deux. Marie and the Nutcracker Prince thank the Sugar Plum Fairy for her grand entertainment. Everyone in the Land of Sweets gathers to bid them farewell.

Run Time

Approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes with one 25 minute intermission


Audio Described

OBT offers audio-described performances for patrons with blindness or low vision, or anyone interested in listening to a live narration of select performances.

Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) will be available for patron use during two performances of December’s run of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®. Patrons wanting to experience the performance through verbal description of the action on stage, including choreography, story line, scenery and costumes, will be able to pick up a hand-held device on a first-come, first-served basis from the coat check area before both Dec. 16 performances — 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Neck loops for use with hearing aids and cochlear implants with a “T” switch (telecoil) are also available. Please bring ID when checking out a hearing device. Supplies are limited.


Dancers: Emily Parker and Zuzu Metzler | Photo by Yi Yin