The Nutcracker

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Darren Lee

A group of ballet dancers on stage.

Company members of the 2021 Madison Ballet performance of "The Nutcracker."

Dec. 22 update: Tonight's performances (Thursday, Dec. 22) will go on. Please use your best judgement regarding travel and safety. If you do not feel safe attending the show, please contact the ticket office regarding an exchange or refund. Decisions regarding Dec. 23-24 shows will be made on Friday morning.

There is no better way to get in the holiday spirit than this Madison Christmas tradition. Join Madison Ballet for the return of The Nutcracker. New Artistic Director Ja’ Malik continues his successful first season at the Madison Ballet with this holiday production. Sara Stewart Schumann, the former Madison Ballet artistic director, returns to the stage in this year’s production, with musical accompaniment by the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. Shows at 7 p.m., Dec. 16 and 22; 1 and 6 p.m., Dec. 17-18 and 23-24.

media release: Twirling snowflakes, leaping bon bons, waltzing flowers and so much more, Madison Ballet’s The Nutcracker returns to Overture Hall this December with a performance that will spark the holiday spirit in all of us.

Audiences can expect elegant costumes, magical sets (including a gigantic Christmas Tree that grows), and talented ballet dancers accompanied by live music from the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. Set to Tchaikovsky’s famous score, this production includes updated, dynamic choreography to tell the tale of the beloved Clara and her mysterious Nutcracker Prince.

Former Artistic Director Sara Stewart Schumann returns to lead the company along with the current Artistic Director, Ja’ Malik, with the monumental task of setting this classic holiday story. The result of a truly collaborative effort, the majority of this full-length ballet was choreographed last year by Schumann and Thomas Mattingly, now the Artistic Director of Ballet Des Moines, with additional support from artists both inside and outside the organization.

“With this opportunity to create new choreography, we sought to engage artists in our community who can help us respectfully portray and celebrate the different cultures represented throughout the story,” says Schumann.

The Chinese divertissement is choreographed by Madison Ballet soloist Yu-Jhe Sun in consultation with Yaqi Wu, a Madison-based traditional Chinese dancer of incredible artistry. Yaqi Wu added her experience and insight to this creative process at Schumann's and Madison Ballet’s invitation. The Spanish divertissement is produced in collaboration with Madison Ballet soloist Michelle Ramos.

The Nutcracker is a staple holiday tradition for families in the Madison community. “I’m very honored to present Sara Stewart Shumann’s beautiful production of The Nutcracker with live music from the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra,” says Ja’ Malik. “This production is sure to delight children and adults both old and new to the beauty, technique and artistry of the artist of Madison Ballet, School of Madison Ballet, and members of our community. I’m delighted to witness this annual tradition with everyone.”

Madison Ballet remains committed to ensuring that our audiences can safely enjoy the beauty of dance. Audience members will be required to wear masks when the CDC level of community spread for Dane County is High or Medium. Audience members will not be required to wear masks when the level is Low. Masks will be provided upon entrance to the theater. Current levels and other data can be found at Public Health Madison Dane County's website.

For 41 years, Madison Ballet has been an integral part of the vibrant Dane County arts community. Full-scale productions of inspiring traditional ballets, innovative contemporary performances, and the timeless holiday tradition of “The Nutcracker” reach more than 13,000 people each year. The School of Madison Ballet empowers students of all ages and skill levels with the poise, confidence, discipline, and fundamental life skills intrinsic to the study of dance. Outreach programming, presented in partnership with dozens of local school and community groups, enriches thousands of young people’s lives by introducing them to the joy of dance.