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The Kansas City Ballet’s Nutcracker, designed by the Ballet’s late, great dance master Todd Bolender, is the largest production of the work in an eight-state region. Over 200 area children who are students in the Kansas City Ballet School perform alongside 25 Kansas City Ballet company dancers. It is an awesome amount of work to put together such a spectacular production, and of course we can all say that the Nutcracker is such a perennial holiday favorite that the company does it to help make its box office goals for the season.

Well, partially. There is no doubt that the Nutcracker attracts a healthy attendance of grown people and young people alike, and of course that helps the bottom line. But more importantly, it is simply one of the most charming, beautifully constructed, lovely and visually riveting works in the ballet repertoire.

Tchaikovsky himself did not think the Nutcracker to be among his better compositions, and all we can say is that this is proof of the old adage that sometimes the creator of an artwork is not its best judge. The Nutcracker is spectacular in every way. Its enduring popularity is due to its charming story, one of everlasting hope and optimism, and the delightful whimsy featured in both the music and in the dancing. A better combination of music and dance is not to be found, and one of the pleasures of the Christmas season is the opportunity to hear and see it again.

This writer is eagerly looking forward to this year’s production, just as in many years in the past. You never get too old or too jaded to enjoy the Nutcracker, and in Kansas City we are fortunate indeed to have one of the country’s premiere productions of this evergreen piece. Our hats are off to artistic director William Whitener and his impressive troupe for bringing it off. Grab your tickets, sit back, and enjoy!

Kansas City Ballet
The Nutcracker 
Saturday, December 11 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 12 at 1:00 and 5:00 p.m.
Friday, December 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 18 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 19 at 1:00 and 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday through Saturday, December 21, 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday and Thursday, December 22 and 23 at 2:00 p.m.
Friday, December 24 at 1:00 p.m.
Music Hall
13^th and Broadway, Kansas City, MO
For tickets call 816-931-2232 or online at www.kcballet.org.

(Note: Some of the above listed performances may be sold out.)

By Don Dagenais

City Classics Music and Dance Columnist; Classical Contributor

A lifelong classical music fan, Don Dagenais is a frequent preview speaker for the Lyric Opera of Kansas City and has taught classical music and opera courses at several Kansas City venues. He has served on the boards of directors of a number of performing arts organizations including the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, the Lyric Opera Guild, UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance, Opera Volunteers International, the Civic Opera Theater of Kansas City, Inspiration Point Fine Arts Colony, Octarium, and the Friends of the Symphony.  He has been the past president of most of these organizations and is current the president of the Friends of the Symphony. 

Dagenais co-authored a history of the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, published on the occasion of its 50th anniversary (2007) and has written books on the histories of both the Lyric Opera Guild and Opera Volunteers International, as well as an introductory book for opera novices (Your Passport to the Opera).  He has received several local and national awards for outstanding volunteer work for the arts, including a lifetime achievement award from The Coterie Theatre in 2000, the Kansas City Musical Club's annual award in 2001, a Partners in Excellence Award from Opera Volunteers International in 2002, a Bravo Award from Opera Volunteers International in 2004 and a community service award from the Daughter of the American Revolution in 2008 honoring him for his community service to the arts.

In addition to his music interests, Don is president of the board of directors for the Metropolitan Ensemble Theater and has served on the boards of The Coterie Theatre and the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, serving as president of each organization.  He publishes newsletters for seven arts organizations.  When not involved in the performing arts, Don is a senior real estate attorney with Lathrop & Gage LLP in Kansas City, Missouri, where he has practiced law since 1976 after graduating from the Cornell Law School.

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