Missouri Ballet Theatre Presents 'The Nutcracker' At Clayton's Edison Theatre

Along with all the unmistakable signs of the yuletide season—frenzied shopping, Christmas trees, festive lights, party-going and a sudden outpouring of good will—productions of The Nutcracker convey that Christmas is near and that the time to get into the holiday spirit has arrived.

The ballet has become a mainstay of the holiday season in America. It is based on E. T. A. Hoffmann's The Nutcracker and the Mouse King and features music by Tchaikovsky.

“It's an interesting phenomenon, and it's only in America,” said Adam Sage, founder and artistic director of Missouri Ballet Theatre. The company will present the ballet at the Edison Theatre in Clayton from Friday through Tuesday. “Most countries don't do this for Christmas.”

The ballet opens on the Stahlbaum family on Christmas Eve. Godfather Drosselmeyer arrives and presents gifts to the children, Clara and Fritz.

Clara's gift is a beautiful nutcracker, which becomes the hit of the party. Fritz breaks it, feeling the pangs of jealousy, and leaves Clara heartbroken.

That night, Clara dreams of a fantastical journey that includes a battle between her nutcracker and the Mouse King in “March of the Toy Soldiers” and a visit the resplendent Sugar Plum Fairy.

It is not uncommon to have two dancers alternate in the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy—arguably one of the most coveted roles in ballet—because of its strenuous nature and back-to-back performances.

“I think it would be too much,” said Lauren Beasley, who is dancing in the role for the first time. “You'd do two shows 45 minutes apart. You need to ice your whole body. You still have to dance a different parts in the next performance, but you get a bit of a rest. It's not as strenuous.”

Lydia Phillips, who is also dancing the Sugar Plum Fairy part, agreed.

“I could probably do it, but I'm thankful we don't have to," she said.

Phillips has danced the part before, which she said gives her confidence to put even more into her performance this time. “I can relax into the role and push myself,” Phillips said. “It's one of my favorite pieces. It's also one of the hardest. It's always best to challenge myself, and I feel blessed to do this part.”

Beasley is dancing the role for the first time, which offers a different perspective. “It makes me a little nervous because I've never done it,” Beasley said. “Ever since I was little, it was always my favorite part, just when the Sugar Plum Fairy music come on. It's a great opportunity.”

Beasley and Phillips have been preparing for the performances for a long time.

“Every day, we're in the studio, running the whole ballet—building stamina,” Beasley said. “There's two people on stage for 10 minutes. When you see it, it looks so easy, but it's very difficult.”

Phillips has her own take on the show's attraction.

“I think it's popular because there's a lot of children in it, and the main character is a young girl that children can relate to,” Phillips said. “Every little girl wants to wear a tutu and prance around on the stage. I enjoy seeing their eyes light up and sparkle.”