Nutcracker Compare and Contrast

Eugene Ballet is known for bringing full-scale, live ballet performances to the Hult Center’s Silva stage for almost 50 years. A fan favorite being the annual presentation of The Nutcracker! This joyful, seasonal production, paired with live music from Orchestra Next welcomes over 10,000 audience members each year. We love spending the holidays with the Eugene community and are looking forward to gathering with even more patrons this year. We will host six performances of the beloved, full-length classic, as well as a new addition of a sensory-friendly, condensed version of this cherished story presented by the students of Eugene Ballet Academy’s performing and outreach arm, the Eugene Ballet Youth (EBY).

EBY has been sharing this charming interpretation for 30+ years through outreach presentations at retirement facilities, elementary schools, libraries, and with a final performance on a small stage. This year, in partnership with The Hult Center and Oregon Community Credit Union, the joy will be shared with an even wider audience in the Silva Concert Hall with special modifications made to create a sensory-friendly experience. Learn more HERE.

Wondering which show is right for you and your family? Review the details of each below or reference this Nutcracker Compare and Contrast Chart to find the best fit. Thank you for including Eugene Ballet in your holiday festivities.

Dates and Times

The Nutcracker with Orchestra Next: 6 chances to experience the magic! Friday, 12/19 7:30pm, Saturday, 12/20 2:00 & 7:30pm, Sunday, 12/21 1:00 & 5:30pm, and Wednesday, 12/24 2:00pm. Get tickets HERE.

Nutcracker Short & Suite: One night only! Tuesday, 12/23 5:30pm. Get tickets HERE.

Music

Orchestra Next will be in the pit playing Tchaikovsky’s iconic score live for the 6 performances of The Nutcracker. Their 50+ piece ensemble is composed of regional, leading music professionals and aspiring professional musicians.

Recorded music will be used for Nutcracker Short and Suite to limit volume fluctuations. Some narration is used throughout the performance to support the storyline.

Length

The Nutcracker includes Clara’s entire journey to and from the Land of Sweets and is over 2 hours with a 30-minute intermission.

Nutcracker Short & Suite is a condensed version, so some scenes are removed and others are shortened. As a result, it is just over 1 hour, including a 20-minute intermission.

Dancers

The Nutcracker features Eugene Ballet’s 23 professional dancers, who you may have also enjoyed in recent productions of Dracula and A Midsummer Nights Dream. They fill favorite lead roles such as Sugar Plum Fairy, Mouse King, and Clara. Eugene Ballet Academy students play supporting roles like Baby Mice, Bon Bons, and Party Children.

Nutcracker Short & Suite is produced by the Eugene Ballet Youth, so lead roles are all filled by Academy students- the next generation of artists! This production will also feature students from the Academy Adult Division as Party Guests and Pre-Division students as Candy Canes and Wee Little Mice.

Environment

The Nutcracker is and will always be a family-friendly production. General theater etiquette such as staying seated, only talking in a whisper, and not using lit or loud devices is the best way to respect the experience of all patrons. The hall is fully dark during the performance, apart from pathway and stage lights. While both acts are in session, the doors to the lobby will remain closed.

We believe that ballet should be available to all, and understand the standard theater set up may not be optimal for all patrons. Nutcracker Short & Suite will have a much more relaxed environment in the hall, with a shush-free and shame-free policy. The house lights will be dim, but not dark, and theatrical elements such as strobe, snow, smoke, and explosions will be excluded. Doors to the lobby will remain open during the performance so audience members may enter and exit as needed. Lobby activities, such as coloring, a livestream of the performance, and ARC of Lane County’s Sensory Zone will remain available before, during, and after the performance. Look for OCCU kindness ambassadors with yellow lanyards if you need any support.

Come as you are and enjoy art in your way!