Nutcracker Alternatives

Matthew Bourne's 'Nutcracker!'
By Jeff Kuo, December 21, 2004, Royce Hall, Los Angeles
Unlike Balanchine’s version, Bourne’s “Nutcracker!” is not obviously destined to be a holiday classic though it should be sore balm for audiences hardened by simply too many conventional “Nutcracker” seasons.
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Matthew Bourne's 'Nutcracker!'
By Toba Singer, November 28, 2004, Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley, California
In between, there is much in the way of concept to delight. Most of it consists of social commentary that delivers British noblesse oblige the flogging it so richly deserves.
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Matthew Bourne's 'Nutcracker!'
By Emma Pegler, December 2003, Sadler's Wells, London
...think of a deliberately unauthentic flamenco dancer flanked by two strutting Freddie Mercury look-alikes with black greased hair and moustaches.
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Chicken Shed Theatre Company - 'Peter Pan'
By Stuart Sweeney, December 15, 2004, Chicken Shed Theatre, Southgate, London
Inclusion is clearly a vital part of the Chicken Shed philosophy and in “Peter Pan” they have integrated sign language into the action.
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Dances Patrelle - 'The Yorkville Nutcracker'
By Cecly Placenti, December 10, 2004, The Kaye Playhouse, Hunter College, New York
The owners of Gracie Mansion, Hamlin and Jane Babcock, had invited the Strongs to a Christmas party along with several international Consul Generals.
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ODC San Francisco - 'The Velveteen Rabbit'
By Lisa Claybaugh, December 6, 2003, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco
First of all, this production made me cry. This story always makes me cry, so it is a compliment to ODC that their adaptation retains all of the qualities that make the tale so touching.
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Royal Opera House 2 - 'Wind in the Willows'
By Stuart Sweeney, December 23, 2003, Linbury Studio Theatre, London
Will Kemp as Ratty finds a level of detail and subtlety -- an arched eyebrow here, a dramatic pose there -- that marks him out as an exceptional performer.
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Mark Morris Dance Group - 'The Hard Nut'
By Ana Abad-Carles, November 12, 2004, Sadler's Wells, London
The party scene is a hilarious parade of party stereotypes that, though dressed in the fashion of the day, easily find their parallels in any party taking place nowadays.
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Mark Morris Dance Group - 'The Hard Nut'
By Lyndsey Winship, November 2004, Sadler's Wells, London
It’s a shame that Mark Morris’s "Hard Nut" has a boring bit that lasts for most of the first act.
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Mark Morris Dance Group - 'The Hard Nut'
By Julia Skene-Wenzel, November 12, 2004, Sadler's Wells, London
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Mark Morris Dance Group - 'The Hard Nut'
By Mary Ellen Hunt, December 20, 2003, Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley, California
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Mark Morris Dance Group - 'The Hard Nut'
By Toba Singer, December 2, 2001, Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley, California
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Diablo Ballet - 'The Magic Toy Store' (La Boutique Fantasque)
By Mary Ellen Hunt, December 1, 2002, Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek, California
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Royal Opera House 2 - 'Wind in the Willows'
By Sylvia, December 2002, Linbury Studio Theatre, London
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Smuins Ballet/SF - 'The Christmas Ballet'
By Lisa Claybaugh, December 18, 2001, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco
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Smuins Ballet/SF - 'The Christmas Ballet'
By Catherine Pawlick, December 28, 2002, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco
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American Ballet Theatre - 'Cinderella'
By Basheva, December 23, 2000, Orange County Performing Arts Center, Costa Mesa, California
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