Fresh Flowers Bloom in Ballet Nebraska’s ‘The Nutcracker’

A beloved classic has a fresh look this season, as Ballet Nebraska’s The Nutcracker presents new choreography and costumes for the ballet’s iconic “Waltz of the Flowers.”

The new waltz features newly-designed, intricately crafted costumes that portray each dancer as a different individual flower. “It will look like a spectacular dancing garden, with dazzling colors and textures,” says Erika Overtuff, the company’s founder and artistic director. “I’ve also added a character called the Thistle, who partners the Dew Drop Fairy in a pas de deux [dance for a couple] and a collection of fanciful garden creatures including dragonflies, frogs, butterflies, snails, and a bee.”

Beyond the new waltz scene, The Nutcracker will continue the traditional scenes and colorful characters that audiences appreciate: young Clara, whose dreams take her on a fantastic journey; her mysterious uncle Drosselmeyer; the menacing Rat Queen; the delicate Sugar Plum Fairy; and more.

Performances at Omaha’s Orpheum Theater will be Saturday, December 5, at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, December 6 at 2 p.m. Ticket information is available at balletnebraska.org/performances.

Ballet Nebraska is the region’s professional dance company. Season Six is sponsored by Omaha Steaks, with major support for The Nutcracker from the Iowa West Foundation, and additional support from the Douglas County Visitor Improvement Fund, the Nebraska Arts Council, and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment.