Revisiting ‘The Nutcracker’ and rediscovering childhood magic

Think of New York City’s iconic holiday season and New York City Ballet’s production of “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker” immediately leaps to mind.

Each year, more than 100,000 people attend the production, now in its 70th year. As a native New Yorker, I can remember the joy and magic of attending “The Nutcracker” as a child — marveling at the elaborate costumes and the Christmas tree that grew before my eyes — but I hadn’t attended in years. So when the opportunity came about to attend as part of a Priceless Experience by Mastercard, where I work as a program manager, I couldn’t say no.

Upon arriving at Lincoln Center, I was seated in my prime orchestra seat in the grand David H. Koch Theater. The theater itself is breathtaking, with its red velvet seats, five balconies and an enormous two-ton center chandelier hanging from the gold latticed ceiling. I settled in, ready for the show to begin.

As the curtain rose, magic erupted across the stage. The dazzling story of Marie and the Nutcracker was conveyed gracefully through music and dance, no words. The stage filled with mice, soldiers, snowflakes and of course the Sugarplum Fairy. We in the audience gasped, laughed and cheered as dancers leaped and twirled throughout the two-act performance. The show filled me with childhood nostalgia as well as a newfound appreciation for the dancers and the story.

As the show wrapped up, the dancers took their final bows to loud cheers from the audience. While attending the show itself would have been enchanting enough, there was more in store.

After the performance ended, our Priceless group was swept backstage, where we met one of the “Waltz of the Flowers” dancers, Nieve Corrigan, a New York City native who attended the School of American Ballet, NYCB’s official school, from age 9. She took questions from the group about her experience dancing in “The Nutcracker.” Nieve had joined the production as a child but had to take a break for a few years because she grew too tall for the child roles. She told the group about her favorite dances and costumes (namely, her current pink tulle costume for “Flowers”) and even explained the differences between the shoes worn for various dances.

We were able to explore the vast stage and see the Land of Sweets set up close. Seeing the view of the audience that the dancers have from the stage gave me a new perspective and appreciation for their work.

Everyone in the group was able to snap a photo with Corrigan and receive an autographed playbill. It’s not every day that you get to meet and pose with an elegant ballerina on the “Nutcracker” stage.

As I left the theater, I took with me new memories and a rekindled sense of childhood joy. The experience was dazzling from beginning to end — and the perfect kickoff to the holiday season.

"George Balanchine's The Nutcracker" photo credit: Erin Baiano