Tag Archives: nutcracker

Pa Ballet Nutcracker Review- Making a Day of it in Philly

girls with the sugar plum fairyMy Review of  Pa Ballet Nutcracker:  I took my sister, daughter,and niece.  What a great da,  it took me right back to when my sister and I were little and my grandparents would take us to see the Ballet.  Our Day stared with  girls getting  dressed up in their holiday best for the occasion,  they were going to the ballet (fancy as my daughter would say).    My daughter planed for weeks for this day. I kept thinking “as vision of sugar plums danced in there head”.

We arrive early to pick our tickets,  so we stop across the street to get Shirley Temples (ginger ale w/ a cherry) for the girls.  Just like our grandparents use to do for my sister and I when we were kids.  The girls felt so grown us to have a drink with us in the fancy hotel prior to the show.   The hotel was filled with other little girls excited for the show,  the air was electric in anticipation.

We walked across the street and entered the PA Academy of Music.  The music hall is grand and elegant (fancy).  We stopped and took a picture with the Sugar Plum Fairy- the girls swooned.  The Pa Ballet is taking the photos  with your choice of he SugarPlum Fairy or the Mouse king for $20 for one of the ballet characters or $30 for both and of course you can use your own camera as well to get an extra photos once you paid. The proceeds of the photos benefit the Pa ballet,  you can pick up the photo during intermission or  after the performance.

Pa academy hallWe were fortunate  to sit on the lower level for this performance. My daughter and niece were so excited as we entered the performance hall.  The Academy of music is gorgeous and glittery gold. Once the ballet started the girl sat entranced.. loving every second. From the tree growing, and the ballerina dance on there toes. It was amazing the costumes where fabulous.  The children that preformed were enchanting.   The music enveloped you and made you want to dance with grace and posie.  Both my sister and I had tears in our eyes as the Sugerplum Fairy danced with her prince.  You could feel the love, she feels for ballet as she spun. Lovely and stunning.

Photos are not allowed during the performance, so you have to see it in person.

If you have not seen a Ballet this is a great one to start with.  The PA Ballet Nutcracker is lively and runs at a great pace to keep the children attention and you will love the music and costumes. The Pa Ballet does a spectacular job.  This was my second time seeing it I took my son when he was 9 –  he loved it too,  so lets not forget those boys.

We purchase ornament for the girls for $15 of a dancing Carla at the souvenir stand in the ballet.

PA Ballet Nutcracker Tickets are still on sale and some start at $20 (when I went with my son we sat in the upper seats he still loved it – also you can bring binoculars)

Here is the girls reviews after the performance;

I would make a day of going to see the PA Ballets Nutcracker.  Philadelphia is so alive with the holiday spirit.

After the performance we did go for dinner Olive Garden is around the corner on Chestnut Street off Broad street . Then a quick walk to  headed to Macys (one block in on chestnut, aka old Wanamaker building) to see/hear the Wanamaker organ and light show runs every hour on the hour. Girls loved it.. the store shoppers  stops and watches the lights for the 10 minute,  Freemacys wanamaker christmas lights

The afterwards we headed up to Macys 3rd floor to see the Charles Dickens Village  “Twas the night be for Christmas” exhibit,   FREE  open till 7pm  (also you do walk through the holiday dept at Macys when heading to Dickens Village exhibit so you can always pick up a souvenir there as well).macys dickens village

End of the Dickens Village which can end with you meeting Santa.  if you want the picture  staring  5×7″ picture was $16.95- or use you own camera Free  philadelphia macy santa posing  with little girls Enjoy you holiday and explore all the culture and fun philly has to offer.

Disclosure:  I received the tickets from the PA ballet.  But the opinions in this post are my own.

 

My Favorite Holiday Tradition : The Nutcracker

sugar plum fary and mouse kingSo I love the Ballet, I always have even as a child.  My grandmother took my sister and I every year to see the Nutcracker in the city.  We loved it for months before we dreamed of being on stage.   This year we will be taking our daughters.   I want to share what is going on at the Ballet this is the year to go.  They have many special events and some very affordable tickets (as low as $20) so you too can take your child. My son has been and loves it also.

Pennsylvania Ballet Celebrates 25 Years of

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™

December 8-30 at the Academy of Music

New this year! Pennsylvania Ballet is proud to partner with The Salvation Army. At performances of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™, audience members are invited to bring a new, unwrapped toy for a child in need. Once collected at the theater, these toys will be distributed to families across the Delaware Valley throughout the holiday season and beyond.
Starting at just $20, tickets to all 23 performances of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ at the Academy of Music are on sale now. Tickets are available online at paballet.org, by phone at 215.893.1999, and in person at the Kimmel Center Box Office.

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ performances at the Academy of Music:

Saturday, December 8 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Sunday, December 9 at noon and 5 p.m.

Friday, December 14 at 7 p.m.

Saturday, December 15 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Sunday, December 16 at noon and 5 p.m.

Thursday, December 20 at 7 p.m.

Friday, December 21 at 7 p.m.

Saturday, December 22 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Sunday, December 23 at noon and 5 p.m.

Monday, December 24 at noon

Wednesday, December 26 at noon and 5 p.m.

Thursday, December 27 at 2 p.m.

Friday, December 28 at 2 p.m.

Saturday, December 29 at 2 p.m.

Sunday, December 30 at noon and 5 p.m.

Groups of 10 or more get discounts and great seats! Ask about backstage tours, special talks with staff and dancers, and dining options near the theater for your group. For tickets and more information, contact Group Sales Manager Arajua Backman at 215.587.6921 or abackman@paballet.org.

Pennsylvania Ballet’s Holiday Happenings

“Nutcracker Magic” Children’s Party

Saturday, December 8 at noon

The Bellevue and Academy of Music

Don’t miss Pennsylvania Ballet’s glorious holiday party, a family tradition for the past 25 years. Children will be charmed by entertainers, crafts, games, and costumed characters like the Sugarplum Fairy and the Mouse King, plus a delicious lunch, all inside the magnificent ballroom at The Bellevue. All children will be invited to make a holiday card for a patient at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Following the food and festivities, guests will enjoy a performance of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ at the Academy of Music at 2 p.m. This annual family party is co-chaired this year by Quyen Mark, Jennifer Shacklett, and Luba Shvayko. Tickets to Nutcracker Magic are $150 or $250, and sponsorship opportunities are available from $500 to $5,000. All sponsors receive free George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ tickets to donate to the charity of their choice. For more information and tickets, contact Manager of Special Events Barbara Vogdes at 215.587.6916 or bvogdes@paballet.org, or visit paballet.org. ballet slipper

Tea with the Sugarplum Fairy

Sunday, December 9 at 2:30 p.m. (Choose the noon or 5 p.m. performance.)

Saturday, December 22 at noon (2 p.m. performance)

DoubleTree by Hilton

Join the Sugarplum Fairy in the ballroom at the DoubleTree by Hilton, across the street from the Academy of Music! Enjoy a delectable buffet of sandwiches, desserts, tea and hot cocoa, along with the chance to take photos with the Sugarplum Fairy, and a magical matinee performance of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™. Prices start at $75 and include your performance ticket and buffet. To order, contact Group Sales Manager Arajua Backman at 215.587.6921 or abackman@paballet.org, or visit paballet.org.

Nutcracker Story Time

Thursday, November 29 at 11 a.m. at Please Touch Museum

Thursday, December 6 at 10:15 a.m. at Philadelphia City Institute Library

Join the Sugarplum Fairy for a reading of the Nutcracker story.

 

Give the gift of ballet this holiday season! Pennsylvania Ballet’s Children’s Enchantment Fund enables underserved families to see George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ free of charge. One performance ticket is distributed for every $35 tax-deductible donation. To make a donation, please call Annual Fund Manager Jessica Holl at 215.587.6913 or visit paballet.org.

Connect with us! Follow Pennsylvania Ballet on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube to go behind-the-scenes anytime, day or night.

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ is presented by First Niagara.

PECO is a Lead Sponsor of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™.

For more information, visit paballet.org or call 215.551.7000.

enjoy and support the arts

Nutcracker Opening of the Season

boy standing infrom of a sign for the nutcrackerThe Philadelphia  Nutcracker in June? Yes believe it or not this is the starting season of the Philadelphia Ballet Nutcracker season.  The Ballerinas start practicing and learning. Every year as a child my grandmother would take us tot eh city to see the nutcracker.  It is one of my fondest memories.  A few years also I took my son to see the Philadelphia ballet Nutcracker he loves it. So it is not just for the girls.  So when the Philadelphia ballet asked me to come to the Kick of the season event.  I said of course.

Guess what you can come too and meet the Sugarplum Fairy and the Mouse King.  What a different thing to do in the hot of summer talk winter and nutcracker!

Join Ballet at the Kimmel Center to kick-off our 25th Anniversary of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™! Enjoy character appearances, activities, ticket offers and more! Get there early – the first 25 people can purchase Nutcracker tickets for only $25*!

Be a part of Nutcracker Season.

Have your photo taken at the event and tell us how you know it’s Nutcracker Season. You might even become part of our Nutcracker ad campaign!

Don’t have time for a photo? Just finish the sentence: “I know it’s Nutcracker Season when…” and email it to us at info@paballet.org or tweet us @paballet using #pabnutcrackerseason.

Can’t wait? Tickets to all 23 performances of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ at the Academy of Music are on sale now. Tickets are available online at paballet.org, by phone at 215.893.1999, and in person at the Kimmel Center Box Office.

UPDATE!!  I was at the Pa Ballet Yesterday for the Nutcracker opening day of tickets sales and They shared a code JUNE25 which is 15% off tickets purchased between now and Wednesday June 27 at 11:59pm. http://paballet.org/ The code is not listed on the site.