Behind-the-Scenes of The Nutcracker with PNB Production Stage Manager Sandy Barrack
Go backstage at PNB’s Nutcracker with stage manager Sandy Barrack. Learn how snow falls, the tree grows, and other iconic stage effects come to life.
PNB’s Resident Mouse King, Erik Andor: The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, and Beyond
Erik Andor, and his eponymous Andor Studio, fabricated the mice costumes you see on stage during The Nutcracker. (And one giant, can’t-be-missed Mouse King costume.) The studio is also in the process of creating royal tiaras, mice puppets, and a large ogre body puppet (performed by two dancers) for PNB’s upcoming production of The Sleeping Beauty. Read on […]
Artistic Director’s Notebook: George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® 2024
Peter Boal welcomes audiences to PNB’s Nutcracker, sharing behind-the-scenes details about the cast, orchestra, and the magic of Ian Falconer’s production.
5 Reasons Why The Nutcracker is a Holiday Favorite
From Tchaikovsky’s enchanting score to a cast of magical characters, discover five reasons PNB’s George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® is a beloved tradition.
Artistic Director’s Notebook: Square Dance, Prodigal Son, Stravinsky Violin Concerto
Peter Boal explores Balanchine’s genius across three works in PNB’s All Balanchine program: Square Dance, Prodigal Son, and Stravinsky Violin Concerto.
Prodigal Son Story
Libretto by Boris Kochno George Balanchine’s Prodigal Son is a dramatic masterwork. The story was the idea of Boris Kochno, Serge Diaghilev’s assistant and frequent artistic collaborator. His libretto is based less on the biblical account and more on a passage from Alexander Pushkin’s short story, The Stationmaster (1830), in which the author describes engravings depicting scenes from the parable that hang in a postal station somewhere […]
Spotlight on Square Dance – Balanchine’s Fusion of Ballet and American Folk Dance
Discover how George Balanchine fused classical ballet with American square dancing in Square Dance, blending folk patterns with virtuoso technique at PNB.
Interview with Salina Fisher, Composer for Black Wave
The premiere of Jessica Lang’s Black Wave was an exciting celebration of many “firsts.” Black Wave is the first work of Jessica Lang’s Choreographic Residency at PNB. Black Wave is also the first work in PNB’s repertory with music composed by award-winning artist Salina Fisher. In fact, this is Fisher’s first experience collaborating with a choreographer! Learn more about Salina Fisher and […]
The Inspiration for Black Wave; Notes from Choreographer Jessica Lang
Choreographer Jessica Lang is busy in PNB’s studios putting the finishing touches on Black Wave, her first work as PNB’s resident choreographer. Jessica’s work for PNB is both thought-provoking and emotionally moving, and Black Wave is no different. Keep scrolling to learn about Jessica’s unique inspirations for this piece. An important part of Black Wave’s inspiration is the Japanese artform kintsugi. Jessica explains, “The work is inspired by the philosophy of kintsugi, the Japanese art of rebuilding […]
Artistic Director’s Notebook: The Veil Between Worlds, The Times Are Racing, Black Wave
Peter Boal introduces PNB’s season opener featuring Edwaard Liang’s The Veil Between Worlds, Justin Peck’s The Times Are Racing, and Jessica Lang’s Black Wave.