‘Great Russian Nutcracker’ Pirouettes All the Way From Moscow to LA’s Wiltern

Patrick Regan

“The Nutcracker” is a masterpiece of composition by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, originally written for a ballet in the late 19th Century. American audiences know it well today because it has become part of the Christmas repertoire of ballet performances everywhere. The songs “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” and “March of the Wooden Soldiers” are musical staples of the season.

It’s the fantasy story of mice and their Mouse King, gingerbread soldiers, a nutcracker in the form of a soldier who turns into a life-size prince and leads a girl into an enchanted land of sweets where … never mind. The Christmas-themed story of toys and cakes come to life is all good holiday fun and has enchanted generations of American children and adults.

But it was originally formed with a distinctly Russian flavor. So Los Angeles is fortunate that members of the Moscow Ballet are bringing a production of “The Great Russian Nutcracker” to the Wiltern, featuring stage spectacles that include a 60-foot glowing Christmas Tree, a rose-shooting canon, and a “Dove of Peace” addition to the second act featuring two dancers mimicking a bird with a 20-foot wingspan.

This being Hollywood, there’s also movie talent involved, with staging by Carl Sprague, the concept artist behind “The Grand Budapest Hotel” and the set designer of the Academy Award-winning “12 Years a Slave.”

As part of the Moscow Ballet’s “Dance With Us” program, a number of ballet students have been selected from across Los Angeles to participate in one show in roles such as angels and mice. So it will be particularly fun for families.

The Moscow Ballet company has dedicated this production toward the lofty and noble goal of achieving world peace. In fact, the second act is titled “The Land of Peace and Harmony,” instead of the traditional “Land of the Sweets.”

The Moscow Ballet will perform “Great Russian Nutcracker” at The Wiltern on Dec. 16 and Dec. 17. Tickets are here.