The Asheville Ballet’s Nutcracker has been a holiday tradition in Asheville for half a century. Children and adults will be charmed yet again by ballet’s greatest classic. This all-time favorite story of Clara’s magical midnight trip to the Land of Sweets is classical ballet at its best. We welcome the return, as Drosselmeyer, of our wonderful former Cavalier, Lyle Laney. Snow will fall in the Snow Queen’s kingdom, scary rats will frighten and good soldiers will rescue Clara, the exquisite Sugar Plum Fairy and her handsome Cavalier will dance an eternally lovely pas de deux, and beautiful flowers will waltz, and waltz, and waltz.

There is an historical line behind our production, from Petipa and Vaganova in 19th century Russia, to their pupil and dancer George Balanchine in 20th century New York, to his pupil Ann Dunn in 21st century Asheville. This year’s production features new choreography for several dances, including Tea, Peppermint, Coffee, and the Grand Pas de Deux. The creative team that has built on original choreography by Marius Petipa and Ann Dunn includes Fleming Lomax, Allison Hertzberg, Eden Hughes, Marcelo Martinez, Megan Jones Medford, and Tricia Renshaw.

Asheville Ballet, North Carolina’s oldest non-profit ballet company, has built a reputation on the belief that dance plays a vital role in the education and culture of the community. First incorporated in 1963, the company has created and presented work in Asheville every year since. In an average season, formal and educational outreach programming affects a culturally diverse audience of approximately 23,000 people. An active advisory panel and a strong, well-organized volunteer base assist a committed board