The Nutcracker

American Repertory Ballet (ARB) invites audiences to celebrate the holiday season with The Nutcracker, a timeless story filled with magic, beauty, and the spirit of the season. For more than 60 years, this cherished production has captivated audiences of all ages, enchanting first-time visitors while remaining a treasured holiday tradition for generations of families. With its breathtaking dancing, unforgettable music, and beloved characters, The Nutcracker continues to create memories that last a lifetime.

Set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, American Repertory Ballet’s sparkling production of The Nutcracker showcases the company’s professional artists alongside over 100 talented students from Princeton Ballet School, the official school of American Repertory Ballet. Together they tell the beloved story of a young girl named Clara, who receives a mysterious holiday gift and embarks on a wondrous adventure. Guided by her Nutcracker Prince, Clara faces an epic battle against mischievous mice, glides through a snow-filled forest, and arrives in the radiant Land of Sweets. There, the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier welcome her with a series of dazzling dances before she awakens, uncertain whether her magical journey was real or just a dream.