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Demovictory9

(32,320 posts)
Mon Sep 14, 2020, 04:35 AM Sep 2020

will 2020 be the year without live performances of the Nutcracker Ballet?

https://katv.com/news/local/coronavirus-takes-a-toll-on-performing-arts-ballet-arkansas-anticipates-400000-in-losse

“While we can program staying in lines and six feet apart, the quality of what an audience member would experience would be vastly subdued compared to what we would otherwise be able to portray if we didn't have those restrictions in place,” Fothergill said.

Because of these limitations, several spring and summer performances and education programs were canceled. Ballet Arkansas had two fall productions planned, Jekyll and Hyde and the Nutcracker Spectacular. With the current complexities involved with executing these performances, Ballet Arkansas felt they could not present them with the integrity they deserve. Jekyll and & Hyde will now be performed in the fall of 2021, and the Nutcracker Special was removed from the calendar.

This will be the first time in 41 years that Ballet Arkansas won’t perform the Nutcracker Special. The performance takes more than 350 hours of rehearsal, and features a cast of nearly 500 dancers, musicians, singers, volunteers, and crew working closely together, and is performed for an audience of 10,000 every December. With 15 professional dancers and three staff members, Ballet Arkansas feared it would only take one person falling ill to likely expose several others. Should that happen during a rehearsal or performance, Fothergill said they would not have the numbers to replace the dancers, causing cancellation and significant financial losses.

The cancellations not only impact the performers, but also the community, according to Fothergill. He said Ballet Arkansas does a lot to engage the community into their performances and the arts.

https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2020/08/24/san-francisco-ballet-wont-hold-live-in-person-nutcracker-performances-this-christmas/

https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2020/sep/02/ballet-arkansas-jettisons-fall-schedule-cancels-nu/

https://www.jsonline.com/story/entertainment/arts/2020/08/19/milwaukee-ballet-cancels-cinderella-no-nutcracker-marcus-center-coronavirus-performing-arts/3400752001/

https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2020/08/dance-troupes-nutcracker-plans-crumble-in-the-jaws-of-covid-19.html

Dance troupe’s ‘Nutcracker’ plans crumble in the jaws of COVID-19

https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/balletmet-cancels-2020-season-and-the-nutcracker/
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will 2020 be the year without live performances of the Nutcracker Ballet? (Original Post) Demovictory9 Sep 2020 OP
I got the call last week. MuseRider Sep 2020 #1
I'm sorry. I love watching the show. It puts me in the holiday mood Demovictory9 Sep 2020 #2
We always do 2 performances MuseRider Sep 2020 #5
We have family and friends in the show every year. deminks Sep 2020 #4
Yes.... Dorian Gray Sep 2020 #3

MuseRider

(34,057 posts)
5. We always do 2 performances
Mon Sep 14, 2020, 09:52 AM
Sep 2020

with the dress rehearsal being open to the public.

There is no way to social distance in an orchestra pit. We are elbow to elbow in there. I cannot imagine how bad the dangers would be to the dancers.

I love doing it. The good part is that I have bought my book so I can play my part any time I want. I often use it to warm up for a practice session. I am not a big fan of Tchaikovsky in general but I love the Nutcracker.

deminks

(11,006 posts)
4. We have family and friends in the show every year.
Mon Sep 14, 2020, 07:34 AM
Sep 2020

We will appreciate it more next year. Stay safe.

Dorian Gray

(13,469 posts)
3. Yes....
Mon Sep 14, 2020, 06:17 AM
Sep 2020

My daughter's ballet school here in NYC shut down their live annual performance. (Though they're making a movie.) We are so so sad. It's a tradition in our family to attend

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