Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker, Performed at the DPAC in Durham, was a Feast for the Eyes and Ears | Eastern North Carolina Now

    We (just Lynn and I) went to Durham for the Nutcracker, performed by the Carolina Ballet, at the DPAC (Durham Performing Arts Center) - 121419. We were given free tickets for some very good seats near the front, in the middle for this glorious, most seasonal ballet. It was a long drive for this impromptu event (the free tickets prompted our decision within 24 hours of the event), but well worth our time as one extra brightening agent to illuminate our seasonal spirit.

    A brighter spirit for us both; this long term husband and wife team are big fans of this Peter Tchaikovsky's 2 Act ballet. It has been some time since we last enjoyed this production of a dreamy Christmas nightmare married with sumptuous pageant beauty blasted upon our art starved conscious spirits by music both so delicate and full of magnificent force. It has been 4 years since we last visited a production of The Nutcracker in Greenville, NC at Wright Auditorium, so we were past due to enjoy this classical feast for our eyes and ears.

    Fortunately, I was able to take a few pictures, which I will use in this publication for time immemorial, but we for now, I exhibit them now Below for your pleasure if you are also one who appreciates the seasonal beauty of The Nutcracker, and the exquisite melodies of Peter Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker, best exemplied here the ballet's "Pas de Deux".

   The 1st Act: The Party of The Nutcracker begins after the prologue: Drosselmeyer's Toy Shop, where we meet one of the central characters of the ballet - Herr Drosselmeyer. Next, the first act constitutes the gathering of friends and family to the home of the Stahlbaums, the dispensing of many gifts, many made by Herr Drosselmeyer, including the Nutcracker, who, like so much more from this wondrous night, comes alive within the nightmare and then the beauty of one long extraordinary dream.


Herr Drosselmeyer in his toy shop in preparation for the big night of gifting: Above. Herr Drosselmeyer, ever the magician, presents his nephew, out of thin air, as his well rehearsed accomplice: Below.     photos by Stan Deatherage     Click image to expand.


    Dr Stahlbaum and family: Clara and Fritz, share their home, their wondrous Christmas tree, with the community, which is yet another stage for toymaker and magician Herr Drosselmeyer to enchant his spellbound audience of eager wonder seekers.


Clara and the her family, in great apprehension, await the magical benevolence of Herr Drosselmeyer: Above. From under the most magnificent of Christmas trees the party begins: Below.     photos by Stan Deatherage     Click image to expand.


For me, ballet is best when the choreographed flow is perfect, and Tschaikovsky's "Pas de Deux" is one of the few perfect songs known to the man, hence, my infatuation with this passage of musical message through dance is most profound as performed here by The American Ballet Theater: Below.




The wonders of Christmas never seem to cease at the Stahlbaum House: Above and bleow.     photos by Stan Deatherage     Click image to expand.

    Herr Drosselmeyer controls the room, with every movement, each pleasue born upon the dual purpose of Christmas cheer at Herr Drosselmeyer direction.