New Mexico Ballet Review

New Mexico Ballet's Nutcracker is one for the ages
You may have seen this classic Christmas ballet performed before.   But unless you've seen one of the world's top metropolitan ballet companies perform it in an iconic setting, you haven't really seen the Nutcracker yet.   Albuquerque,  New Mexico may not spring to mind as one of the world's top performing arts cities, but, in fact, Albuquerque ballet schools have launched a steady plethora of students and professionals onto company stages around the world:  ABT, Joffrey, San Francisco Ballet.   Its principal ballerinas and lead male dancers are extremely well-trained, classically beautiful performers, adept at their craft.  

Add a professional symphony, a world-class performing arts hall (The Popejoy, on the UNM campus) and you've got the ingredients for a stellar bit of Christmas magic.   New Mexico Ballet performs this classic with verve and talent, and - surprisingly - with occsional humor, too, which helps keep the audience (and particularly the children) engaged and following the storyline. 

The special effects - from exploding cannons to magically growing trees - are spectacular, and make the production all the more exciting.   There's truly something for everyone in this company's moving rendtion of Tchaikovsky's beautifully composed score.  This ballet was originally performed in 1892;  the music is as beautiful as the graceful talents who bring to life the story of little Clara and her Nutcracker companion.   

Note:  My sister and her son both dance with this company.  This year, I saw an alternative performance by another professional company based in California and there was simply no comparison to the show I remember seeing at Popejoy.   

The Popejoy show often sells out, so plan ahead for next year's performance.   Get the whole family together and go enjoy great music, beautiful dance, a few laughs, special effects, and, of course, memorable dance.  

The bottom line:   Libby Loves It!