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How's this for a Christmas gift that a young girl would never dream of returning: a handmade doll that not only magically comes to life, but takes its new owner to visit an enchanted land and then turns into a handsome prince? In terms of holiday gift giving, no doubt writer E.T.A. Hoffmann set the bar pretty high with his tale The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, but that certainly hasn't stopped the ballet based on his fanciful story from becoming a family favorite for generations.
And it's no wonder--Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker brings the magical themes of Hoffmann's tale to life with sprightly, memorable music and exciting dance scenes. Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley keeps this well-loved holiday tradition going strong with its annual production of The Nutcracker, which opens this year on Dec. 12 in downtown San Jose.
This production features the ballet's full company of professional dancers, in addition to performances by dozens of young dancers from the ballet's dance school. And the magical atmosphere won't stop at the stage--the entire theater will be transformed into a holiday extravaganza with opulent decorations, carolers, the "Pocket Lady" handing out free toys and a boutique of holiday and ballet gift items. Children and their families can also have complimentary souvenir photos taken with characters from the show.
The Nutcracker will also kick off Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley's Children's Series, a program new for this year that is designed to introduce the littlest audience members to ballet. The series will offer versions of The Nutcracker and two other ballets that have been shortened for young viewers, but still feature full sets, costumes and orchestra. The Children's Series, which is offered as a subscription series only, also includes Coppélia, also from a story by Hoffmann, in February and Silly Simon, based on a Hans Christian Andersen folk tale, in April.
Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley presents "The Nutcracker" Dec. 1228 at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd., San Jose. Tickets are $19$68. The Children's Series version takes place Dec. 14, 1:30 p.m. Series subscription tickets are $42$114 children/$51$129 adults. For more information call, 408.288.2800 or www.balletsanjose.org.
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