Highlands Ballet presents 'Santa's Nutcracker'
Santa Claus, otherwise known as Saint Nicholas or sometimes Kris Kringle—has a long history that is steeped in Christmas traditions. Today, he is thought of mainly as the jolly man in red who brings toys to good girls and boys on Christmas Eve.
However, his story stretches back to the third century, when Saint Nicholas walked the earth and became the patron saint of children. The belief is that Nicholas was born sometime around 280 A.D. in Patara, near Myra in modern-day Turkey. Much admired for his piety and kindness, St. Nicholas became the subject of many legends. It is written that he gave away all his inherited wealth and traveled the countryside helping the poor and sick.
And so, the legend has grown from St. Nicholas to the familiar Santa Claus.
Highlands Ballet has chosen to incorporate Santa into the holiday production of The Nutcracker ... thus “Santa’s Nutcracker” originated in late 1998 into 2001.
Now, “Santa’s Nutcracker” is a different approach to a holiday favorite and is truly something different.
While “The Nutcracker” centers on Clara, her mysterious godfather Drosselmeyer, an inventor of lifelike toys, and the Sugar Plum Fairy who rules the Kingdom of Sweets, “Santa’s Nutcracker” centers on Santa Claus, his godchild, the beautiful Holly Berry, the Christmas Fairy and of course the excitement that surrounds the holiday season.
The performance opens in Santa’s Enchanted Toyshop as Santa, his helpers, Mrs. Claus and their Godchild Holly Berry prepare for the Christmas Holidays. Just envision “lifelike dolls,” delectable foods and confections, lights, toys and gifts, and the whirl of happy people preparing for upcoming festivities. What would the holiday season be without Santa Claus? A favorite highlight is the packing of Santa’s toy sack and ... of course, Mrs. Claus will be there serving her delicious Christmas Cookies and trying to keep everyone on schedule.
Santa’s toy sack all packed, he and Mrs. Claus, secretly followed by the beautiful Holly Berry and Santa’s helpers, leave the toyshop to travel through a dense forest to gather extraordinary gifts from exotic lands. In the Snow Glade the Snow Queen summons beautiful snowflake maidens to welcome Santa as he prepares for his holiday journey around the world.
You don’t want to miss Santa’s gift to Holly Berry, the Christmas Fairy Doll and the fantasy that follows. “Fantastic Visions” are spun by the Christmas Fairy/Sugar Plum Fairy as her exotic gifts are gathered from around the world. Bold and trumpeted Spanish Dancers, graceful Candy Flower Petals led by a fragile Sugar Crystal, delicate Chinese teas, daintily frosted Marzipan, a beautiful mysterious Arabian Dancer and cheerful shopkeepers assist Santa in his preparations, while prancing Reindeer await Santa’s nocturnal voyage.
Public performances are Dec. 10 at 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the McGlothlin Center for the Arts at Emory & Henry College, Emory, Virginia. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/ehc/4926.
