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Boston Ballet - The Nutcracker Reviews

Holiday & Christmas ShowsBalletFamily ShowsDance & BalletThe Nutcracker

Average customer review: 3.0 star rating (3.2 Stars)

Number of reviews: 6

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5.0 star rating Steve from Boston, Massachusetts

EXCELLENT

Have attended many Nutcracker performances over the past fifty years. This one might be my favorite. Absolutely beautiful production and choreography. Orchestra perfectly synced. Dancers technically close to perfect and committed. A difficult task putting on a production of a long loved holiday classic. Everyone involved should be proud. Feelings of awe and emotions were stirred. Cheers to a wonderful rendition!

5.0 star rating Ted from Boston, Massachusetts

WONDERFUL FAMILY OUTING

I was so impressed with the set, costumes and the entire performance. It was beautiful. Our family of 8 ranged from 15 to 80 years old and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the performance. Loved it.

4.0 star rating Jeanine from Boston, Massachusetts

ENCHANTING

I haven’t seen the Nutcracker for years. This is a delightful, fun rendition. Some comical moments included with stunning scenery. I loved it. Lots of children were at our performance. I can understand if they thought Act Ii was boring...it’s more serious ballet and not much for the kids.

3.0 star rating Sarah from Boston, Massachusetts

HIGHLY DISAPPOINTING

We took our almost 6 year old son to see The Nutcracker for the very first time. He knew the story and was excited to see the production. The first act went well - great choreography, coherent storyline, and of course the Christmas tree grew and the Mouse King and his mice elicited laughs from both children and adults alike. The second act was dull. As others have noted, the colors were so muted, the costumes looked so much alike it was easy to confuse the dancers, and my son - who was expecting to see candy in the Land of Sweets - grew confused and then inevitably, bored. There. Was. No. Candy. No candy sets, no candy costumes, none of the beautiful colors and whimsy of productions of the past. And the candy dances were surprisingly short. Very bland, very uninspiring. Many families left early with their little ones. I hope they change this for next year and bring back the ballet's soul.

1.0 star rating Lizabeth from Boston, Massachusetts

A DISAPPOINTED AND DISSATISFYING INTERPRETATION OF A CLASSIC

I took my husband to see this (his first time seeing a ballet) and was sorry I did. Although the Nutcracker is a gift to Clara, and it is she who gets swept off her feet by the Nutcracker prince, this version leaves Clara almost entirely out of Act II and infantiizes her ridiculously. This explains why people may find Act 2 boring but may not know, or can say, entirely why. This version puts more emphasis on the Sugar Plum fairy who ends up narratively upstaging Clara. Clara is deprived of a dancing voice in Act 2 which strays so far from the beloved version with Baryshnikov in which there is so much more chemistry between the prince and Clara. Themes of first young love, and gratitude and wonder for it, are all but entirely overlooked. The romance, depth and scope of the message of the Nutcracker to all is lost and diluted in this Disneylike staging. Disccerning viewers should look for a better version - truer to the story - or see the DVD with Baryshnikov. Not recommend.

1.0 star rating Elise Gleason from Boston, Massachusetts

VERY DISAPPOINTING !!!

The last time I saw this production was 30 years ago with my 8 yr old daughter. We were both awed by that performance ! Was so excited to see it once again. Just saw it December 1, 2018 with a friend. We both found ourselves nodding off several times during this lackluster performance. There were not enough costume and set changes. The sets colors were muted making for a dull visual experience - not anywhere near the beautifully entertaining performance I so vividly remember with my daughter. A complete disappointment ! The highlight of the evening was an excellent dinner at Boston Chops.

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