Tracker Pixel for Entry

FM Ballet’s dreamy holiday production

Theatre | December 12th, 2018

by Gabrielle Hersch
gabbyhersch@gmail.com

Listening to Christmas music as I decorated my tree this weekend, I couldn’t help but find myself drawn into a sort of eerie, mystifying melody. It took several moments before I recognized the familiar and alluring “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.”

As the lovely, unearthly tune played, I found myself thinking about the dreamy surrealism that I often feel during the Christmas season. Dark rooms only illuminated by the glowing lights on the tree, a fireplace video found on Youtube, and the glare of the streetlights and the glitter of fresh snow outside creates a cozy, dreamlike atmosphere.

Apparently, E. T. A. Hoffman, author of the original story “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King,” and Tchaikovsky, composer of the ballet’s original score, felt the same supernatural, exciting dream-state of a snowy Christmas night.

In this classic holiday production, a little girl, Clara, goes to bed distraught over a broken nutcracker doll — a gift from her beloved Uncle. Worry, angst, and a sedative holiday slumber transport Clara into a fantastic Christmas wonderland. Here, toys come alive and Clara finds herself in a battle of good and evil as she walks the line between reality and fantasy.

The magic of the season — and this classic ballet — is undeniable. “It’s an example of beautiful storytelling,” said Matt Gasper, Artistic Director for FM Ballet. While Gasper has been choreographing FM Ballet’s production of “The Classic Nutcracker” since the beginning of its local run eight years ago, he says that each year is a new endeavor. “You may have seen The Nutcracker before, but every production is new,” Gasper said, as each year features new choreography and artists. This year’s production will also feature new costumes by designer Suzanne Spiese.

The story, Gasper said, is easy for people of all ages to grasp -- which allows the artistic freedom for fresh choreography and an interesting take on a classic ballet. Come get drawn into the enchanting story, graceful choreography, and beautiful melodies with the artists of the FM Ballet and The Wonderland Orchestra.

“The Classic Nutcracker” production is not only a Christmas tradition but a wonderful celebration and showcase of local artists. The production features original choreography by Artistic Director Matt Gasper, intricate costumes designed by Suzanne Spiese, and music performed by The Wonderland Orchestra, which is comprised of professional musicians in the Fargo-Moorhead community directed by Dr. Christina Chen-Beyers.

This week, come get pulled into the holiday spirit with the celestial music and dance of “The Classic Nutcracker,” with performances at NDSU’s Festival Concert Hall December 15th and 16th. Notably, last year’s final show did sell out, and tickets are going fast yet again this year — so secure your ticket while you still can.

You should know:
The Classic Nutcracker
December 15th, 2018 @ 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
December 16th, 2018 @ 2:00 p.m.
NDSU Festival Concert Hall, Reineke Fine Arts Center, 1511 12th Ave. N.
Fargo
Tickets may be purchased online at fmballet.org/tickets or by calling 701-234-9440.
Prices range from $8-42.

Recently in:

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comNorth Dakotans will take part in a nationwide civil rights rally on Thursday, July 17. Protests, marches, rallies and acts of service are scheduled in Bismarck, Bottineau, Devils Lake,…

Back-to-school season is on the horizon, but there's still plenty of summer left. Check out our favorite August attractions and events in North Dakota and western Minnesota. And if if you missed them, here are a few excellent May…

July 18-19, 25-26 and August 2-3North Dakota Horse Park, 5180 19th Ave. N., FargoLadies and gentlemen, prepare to place your bets — racing season is upon us! Not just horses will be racing this year; word on the street suggests…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com On July fourth, Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest took place at Coney Island. The winners, Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo, reigned victorious. Chestnut earned his 17th title by…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comWhy doesn’t the world require politicians to leave office at 60?Most of the leaders of countries, whether gods, fascists, democrats or socialists, are not doing very well these days. David Van…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick Gion and Simone Wairickgion@gmail.com The Red River Market returned to downtown Fargo on Saturday, July 12. The event will take place every Saturday except July 19. (That date will be moved to Sunday, July 20, due to the…

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comThe Moorhead Public Library will offer three free, all-ages outdoor concerts featuring regional bands this summer. The series begins on June 12 with the Meat Rabbits, a group that blends…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comPhoto by Sabrina Hornung Wing, North Dakota is a town of 132 located about an hour northwest of Bismarck on Highway 36. There’s a shiny new Cenex on the intersection of the highway and the high…

By Deb Wallworkdwallwork@icloud.comI first met Catherine Mulligan at a party at her house. It was a small gathering, spontaneous, just a few people over for dinner. Directed toward a stack of plates and bowls and a big pot warming…

By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.comPhoto by Yvonne Denault There is something intimate and personal about plays. Even in our age of multimillion dollar Hollywood productions and droves of streaming services, watching actors…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

The drug that keeps re-purposing itselfBy Ellie Liveranieli.liverani.ra@gmail.com There is a drug that is getting a lot of attention nowadays all over the world. It has various commercial names (Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus), but…

By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…

By Vern Thompsonvern.thompson@rocketmail.com Working in the Bakken oil fields of the Williston Basin is so different from my home in Fargo. I'm not judging, because the people working and living in western North Dakota are very…