Cincinnati Ballet first performed The Nutcracker in 1974. After four decades and six different iterations, the whimsical story remains, but the sets, costumes and choreography have become much more intricate. See for yourself in this side by side comparison of the modern Frisch’s Big Boy Presents The Nutcracker and Cincinnati Ballet’s very first Nutcracker.

Spanish Dancers

The Finale

The Nutcracker takes the stage at the Aronoff Center in Cincinnati December 9-18, after touring to the prestigious John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. November 23-27.