The Nutcracker's Origins in American Christmas Tradition

Guest: Adam Sklute, Artistic Director, Ballet West  “The Nutcracker” ballet is an international holiday tradition. But the US version of it has its roots in Utah, with the founder of Ballet West, who staged the first full-length production of it in America back in 1944. To this day, much of Ballet West’s Nutcracker bear the marks of that original choreographer – Mr. C., as he’s known. Until this year, some of the costumes and sets dated back nearly that far, too.  Which is why it was high time for the multi-million dollar makeover Ballet West gave its Nutcracker this year.