After 22 years in CDMX, The Nutcracker is expected to reach one million viewers

From one side of the practice room, three women observe the group of dancers moving on pointe from one side to the other. One counts the times, another follows the sequence of steps and another snaps her fingers to mark the changes.

At the end, they make corrections: keep the leg at 90 degrees when turning; adjust two-step binding; mark the posture when advancing forward.

Thus, the National Dance Company (CND) refines the last details before the premiere of The nutcracker, the Christmas classic that will be presented with live music from the Fine Arts Theater Orchestra (OTBA), from December 18 to 23, at the National Auditorium.

The work, which tells the story of Clara, a girl who receives a nutcracker on Christmas Eve and, upon falling asleep, enters a magical world where the toy comes to life, has strong roots among Mexican families. After 22 years and 228 performances, it is expected that this season will reach one million viewers. An unprecedented record for a ballet production on this stage.

“The Nutcracker It is one of our flagships to bring dance and ballet to all audiences: ballet lovers, families, those who come for the music or people who have never attended a show of this type,” said Érick Rodríguez, artistic director of the CND, at a press conference.

The story written by ETA Hoffmann, which will bring together more than 200 artists on stage, will feature a live performance of the score by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, by the OTBA, conducted by Ayyub Guliyev, chief director of the Azerbaijan State Opera and Ballet Theatre.

“We are very happy and excited to present once again The nutcracker, which is already a tradition in our city during this holiday season,” said Rodríguez.

The nutcracker It was staged for the first time at the Palace of Fine Arts on December 2, 1980. In 2001 it arrived at the National Auditorium and in 2017 the production was completely renewed to adapt to that space. Since then it has had two versions, that of James Kelly and that of Nina Novak, the latter current.

“Some choreographic adjustments have been made. Since last year, for example, the Arab dance is done as a duet; in addition, some details of the choreography have been corrected,” he explained.

In a context dominated by screens and social networks among children and young people, Rodríguez considered that the message of The nutcracker continues: “it is a classic because its stories are still current: they talk about humanity, dreams, festivities and the discovery of first love. Its message celebrates that awakening that goes from childhood to adolescence, something that still resonates.”

The artistic director invited the public to live the experience. “In addition to ballet and music, it is also about sharing with family and friends. It is something unique in the city this season.”

The staging will feature the presence of students from the Academy of Mexican Dance and the National School of Contemporary Classical Dance in the roles of Clara, Fritz, soldiers, mice, chocolates and little angels, among other characters.