For their first ballet experience, two young reviewers are mesmerized by the exhilarating Ballet West production of The Nutcracker: case example of why it is a Living Historic Landmark

For many in Salt Lake City, the greatest source of pride has been Willam Christensen’s efforts to make the first American version of The Nutcracker, which he transported from its San Francisco premiere in 1944 to the University of Utah in the 1950s and eventually to its permanent spot in the Ballet West repertoire. One … Read more

Ballet West is staying in its blockbuster groove, as it prepares for its 61st season

Ballet West is staying in the blockbuster groove for its upcoming 2024-2025 season. After a 60th anniversary edition that brought record attendance not only for the season but also for three major productions, Ballet West is poised to continue the momentum with four Utah premieres, the return of Cinderella, and the 80th anniversary of The … Read more

Four young newcomers to live ballet performance find their own connections to the timeless magic of Ballet West’s historic production of The Nutcracker

For many in Salt Lake City, one of the greatest sources of pride in the local performing arts scene has been Willam Christensen’s efforts to make the first American version of The Nutcracker. As The Utah Review documented recently in a historical feature, he transported this version from its San Francisco premiere in 1944 to … Read more

A holiday evening of exuberant magic: Ballet West’s The Nutcracker becomes glorious world of fantasy

It might surprise many readers that for critics, writing a review of The Nutcracker ballet is actually not as easy as it might appear. It is one of the most widely performed works in the end-of-the-year holiday season and audiences love it, whether it is in a lavish professional production or a small-town amateur community … Read more

Revel in the Magic of Ballet West’s The Nutcracker

Katie Critchlow & Alexander MacFarlan in THE NUTCRACKER - Photo by Beau Pearson

On the heels of Ballet West’s critically acclaimed opening of “The Nutcracker” at The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. in early December, the company has returned to Salt Lake City to share the magic of Willam Christensen’s holiday favorite with Utah audiences. Holding the distinction of being the first and longest-running full-length production of “The … Read more

Ballet West unveils sparklingly new The Nutcracker

Soloist Alexander MacFarlan in Ballet West's The Nutcracker 2 - Photo by Luke Isley

For more than 60 years, Ballet West has been part of Utahns’ festive celebration of the holidays with the annual run of Willam Christensen’s The Nutcracker. Billed as the longest-running full-length production in America, Ballet West has devoted $3 million to a reimagined presentation of costumes, sets and special effects to update this spectacular ballet … Read more