Cracking at America’s Heart: The Nutcracker’s Enduring Holiday Legacy

The winter holidays are here, and so is “The Nutcracker,” showing in local theaters throughout the season. Picture the scene: The ballerina is lifted up high into the air to the glorious descending scales of Tchaikovsky’s music, each note ringing with playfulness while the costumes glisten like morning dewdrops. This enchanting combination of music and dance has become a beloved tradition for many American families. But how did a peculiar ballet from 19th-century Russia become such a quintessential part of Christmas time in the United States? “The Nutcracker” has endured to this day as a cherished holiday tradition across the United States because of its timeless themes of love and family, as well as Tchaikovsky’s phenomenal score.

“The Nutcracker” debuted in December 1892 at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia with Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikosky’s spellbinding score animated by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov’s choreography. Adapted from E.T.A. Hoffman’s terrifying fairytale “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” — and Alexander Dumas’s family-friendly version of the story — the ballet follows a little girl, named Clara, who discovers that her nutcracker doll is alive and under attack by the menacing Mouse King.

However, the ballet was not very well-received by its original Russian audiences. Not even Clara’s adventure through the Land of Sweets, accompanied by one of Tchaikovsky’s best compositions, managed to captivate the Russian elite. Despite its disappointing reception in its homeland, “The Nutcracker” eventually made its way to the United States in 1944, debuting at the San Francisco Ballet under the artistic director William Christensen. It wasn’t until 1954 its staging by George Balanchine with the New York City Ballet, however, that “The Nutcracker” became a holiday staple.

Balanchine, the Russian-born founder of the New York City Ballet, brought his classical training in dance and music from St. Petersburg as well as his own unique style to his production of “The Nutcracker.” Drawing on his education at the Russian Imperial Ballet School and experience in Russian ballet companies, Balanchine created his own version of the ballet, which captivated American audiences with its polished and refined choreography. His version has now become a cornerstone of the New York City Ballet’s repertoire, performed 47 times annually.

Another key aspect of Balanchine’s success was the iconic costumes created by Barbara Karinska. Like Balanchine, she emigrated from Russia to the United States in the 1930s, where she continued her career designing costumes for ballets, film and even Broadway musicals. Karinska’s designs brought the Land of Sweets featured in the ballet’s second act to life with vivid characters like hot chocolate, marzipan and candy canes. Her design for the Sugar Plum Fairy is especially iconic — the simple yet elegant tutu, featuring soft greens and pinks, captured the ballet’s magical essence. Together, Karinska and Balanchine created “The Nutcracker” American audiences know and love to this day.

The 1950s were a transformative time for a lot of American families, and the arrival of “The Nutcracker” to the United States coincided with broad cultural shifts. Families began to prosper in new ways after World War II, giving rise to consumerism. Surprisingly, many of the nation’s beloved holiday traditions originated during this period. Against the backdrop of growing consumerism and the transformation of Chrismtas celebrations, “The Nutcracker” secured its place among these family traditions.

It is curious how “The Nutcracker” endured as a cherished holiday tradition for so many families, but it comes as no surprise. Perhaps it’s because the ballet features themes that align with traditional Christmas values like family and nostalgia. The ballet at its core is a tale about love and imagination, as well as the magic that the Christmas holidays bring. It is a timeless story, and a simple one too, allowing for endless adaptations. After the success of Balanchine’s version of “The Nutcracker,” other American ballet companies likewise pioneered their own interpretations. For instance, the Boston Ballet performs its own adaptation of “The Nutcracker” created by artistic director Mikko Nissinen.

Tchaikovsky’s music undeniably plays a vital role in the enduring appeal of “The Nutcracker.” From the upbeat spirited march in the first act, overflowing with youthful energy, to the haunting beauty of the pas de deux between the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Cavalier in the second act, Tchaikovsky’s phenomenal score encapsulates a myriad of emotions.

What makes both the ballet and the music timeless is their ability to evoke both a sense of joy and longing. The ballet rekindles generations of holiday memories, seeping with the magic of childhood wonder. Tchaikovsky expertly wove lighthearted children’s dances with moments of poignant reflection, creating a score that not only brings Hoffman’s story to life but one that can touch the hearts of many. It does not come as a surprise that his music lives to this day and continues to bring “The Nutcracker” to life every holiday season.