Cincinnati Ballet Provides 'New' Nutcracker Performances

In city after city, the Nutcracker has been a well-loved holiday tradition. This year, the Cincinnati Ballet is giving the production an overhaul.

Victoria Morgan is spearheading a two million dollar re-creation of the time-honored masterpiece.

"It's the biggest project of my entire career," said Morgan. "Entirely new sets, costumes, characters were created to fulfill a vision."

It's Morgan's vision, her choreography, and her interpretation which is whimsical, humorous and unpredictable.

That includes a Mother Hen character which is new to the production and includes kids wearing matching baby chick costumes.

"It was a blank canvas and I got to make it up," said Morgan.

Final rehearsals for the world premier of the production are underway.

"I think they're going to be just blown away. I mean everything is so different. It's contemporary meeting with classical," said Janessa Touchet.

Principal dancer Touchet is in her 11th season with the Cincinnati Ballet. This year she'll be the iconic Sugar Plum Fairy. 

"The Sugar Plum pas de deux with the cavalier is lift after lift after lift. And, stamina-wise, it's really difficult," said Touchet.

Apprentice Thomas Caleb Roberts has multiple roles.

"Just on your seat type dancing, you know, to keep you focused on it the whole time. I don't think there's one boring part in this Nutcracker that she's choreographing," said  Roberts.

As the dancers continue to perfect their moves, hundreds of costumes are being built for everything including the Nutcracker himself, reported ONN's Lisa Smith.

What began as artist sketches, materialize into dancers costumes. From poodles to toy soldiers to mice to the Sugar Plum. Each is designed to dazzle and delight all ages.

"I'm hoping parents are gonna like it as much as their kids, and their grandparents,"  said Morgan.

She's also hoping her rendition of the Nutcracker will last for many Christmases to  come.

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