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A Sweet Tradition Returns: Nashville's Nutcracker Dazzles at TPAC
by Rich and Laura Lynch
The Nashville Ballet is presenting NASHVILLE'S NUTCRACKER November 29 through December 28, 2025, at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC). The holiday classic was originally composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in the late 1890's and today Paul Vasterling has put a creative Nashville spin on the famous story. Paul's presentation was enhanced by live music provided by the Nashville Symphony.
Traditionally, The Nutcracker takes place on Christmas Eve where the youngsters of a household are presented with a number of gifts including a nutcracker which one of the children takes a real liking to. Later that little girl watches as the toy turns into a full-size living being and she joins the nutcracker on a number of musical adventures.
NASHVILLE'S NUTCRACKER opens in the summer of 1897 at the Tennessee Centennial Exposition where we meet Drosselmeyer who is enjoying the various attractions at the fair while acquiring the nutcracker which he gives to his niece Clara at Christmas time. Quickly another child breaks it, but Drosselmeyer repairs it with magic. Later that night Clara along with the nutcracker find themselves in a wonderous world of mice battles, snow scenes, the Parthenon Garden (another nod to Music City) and the Kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
The Nashville Ballet presented all these places with complex, compelling routines that explored different cultures while still keeping within the traditions of the original. The cast consisted of more than 30 professional dancers along with hundreds of students from the School of Nashville Ballet thus the NASHVILLE’S NUTCRACKER represents and supports the community.
The colorful costumes and set design also added to the enchantment of the performance. The pageantry of the snow king & queen along with their snowflakes was a high point of Act One while Act Two at the Sugar Plum Court was varied and vibrant as told through the graceful movements of the dancers.
NASHVILLE'S NUTCRACKER at TPAC's Jackson Hall came to life with a thrilling palette of luminous color and a sense of movement that felt almost weightless. We watched as sets seemlessly switched from wintry hush to festive splendor - to create a captivating and real-life work of art for the Music City faithful. Additionaly, the expert score engaged and the precise staging guided the eye with a clear, elegant sweep to create a holiday world that felt both grand and intimate.
Founded in 1986, the Nashville Ballet has become the largest professional ballet company in Tennessee. They perform a varied repertoire of classical ballet along with contemporary works by world-renowned choreographers, as well as originals by Artistic Director and CEO, Nick Mullikin. Many of the Nashville Ballet's shows such as the NASHVILLE'S NUTCRACKER are hosted by the TPAC but the Nashville Ballet also has their own customized 44,000-square-foot facility for their dancers, students and administrative offices. Their stated mission is "we create, perform, teach, and promote dance as an essential and inspiring element of our community" and the NASHVILLE NUTCRACKER serves as an annual anchor to that goal.
The TPAC located at 505 Deaderick Street (Nashville, TN) is a proud partner of the Nashville Ballet. The TPAC promotes excellence in the performing arts while adding economic vitality to the city. NASHVILLE'S NUTCRACKER runs November 29 through December 28, 2025 - so there are plenty of opportunities to experience this unique take on a holiday classic – get your tickets now!
Related Links:
For more information on NASHVILLE'S NUTCRACKER and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -
TPAC |
Nashville Ballet
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