A holiday tradition in 30A, Seaside’s The Nutcracker performance will be Saturday, Nov. 21. Photo by Sheila Goode Photography
“The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads.” The holidays always evoke feelings of nostalgia, magic, whimsy and delight, and many of our most time-honored traditions find their roots in the wistful story told through music and dance in the Nutcracker Ballet. This year, Seaside has partnered with Ballet Pensacola to bring this timeless tale to life for everyone to experience, and whether young or old, this beautiful tale of holiday imagination will have everyone eager for the arrival of the season.
Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker Ballet, which premiered in 1892, tells the story of one enchanted Christmas Eve, when a young girl named Clara receives a beautiful nutcracker as a gift, a magic present that draws her into a land of brilliant snow, holiday legend, and unforgettable characters. Through the course of her journey, she encounters some of the holiday season’s most memorable melodies and dances, including The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and The Waltz of the Flowers. The story takes audiences back to a time of childhood innocence and make-believe, one in which dreams can be lived and anything is possible. The success of the ballet is evident in its continued performance longevity and constant musical reference in modern holiday film.
This year’s performance in Seaside is directed and choreographed by Ballet Pensacola, Pensacola’s only resident professional ballet company. The company itself is comprised of fulltime professional dancers and dedicated student dancers who are selected through audition. The group presents a number of major performances each season, and their educational outreach program brings the magic of dance performance to more than 13,000 children every year.
Under the direction of Ballet Pensacola, Seaside Nutcracker ballet mistress Seleta Hayes Howard has been conducting rehearsals. The performance features area dancers, who were cast in an open audition in September, and the energy radiating from these talented performers crackles like a winter fire on an open hearth. For all who love this classic fairytale, this is the perfect time to bundle up and make a holiday memory with those you love.
The Nutcracker Ballet will be featured in Seaside as a one-time performance on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 5 p.m. and is free to the public. Pack a thermos of hot cocoa and come experience this festive addition to 30A’s holiday season traditions. c