It’s crazy time again and this year, Boston Ballet has just won a "Nutty" award. No, it’s not a prize for shopping-induced violence or a polar bear swim. It recognizes the Boston Ballet’s longtime Christmas gift to the city, it’s annual production of the “The Nutcracker,” choreographed this year by Artistic Director, Mikko Nissinen with music lead by Principal Conductor, Jonathan McPhee.

"The Nutty" is the nickname of the Annual Goldstar National Nutcracker Award honoring the country’s best production of the Tchaikovsky-scored holiday dance classic. Boston Ballet is its third winner. Last year’s went to The Kirov Ballet of the Mariinsky Theatre, presented by Dance at the Music Center, in Los Angeles. The first winner was The House Theatre of Chicago at Steppenwolf Theatre, in 2007.

"The award represents the collective opinion not just of a handful of critics but hundreds of Goldstar members who’ve been to see a performance and so for that reason, it really means a lot to win it," writes Goldstar CEO Jim McCarthy in a press release. Goldstar is a Web site through which members can purchase tickets to live events and then rate and review their experiences.

More than just an ornament, the "Nutty" comes with a cash prize to be used toward educational programming. This year’s gift will support the Boston Ballet School among other community outreach initiatives.

"Boston Ballet is thrilled to accept Goldstar’s annual "Nutty" Award," Executive Director, Barry Hughson, said in a statement. "The Nutcracker has been a tradition of ours in Boston for 42 years — as it is across the country and around the globe. Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker is a beloved classic, which makes it a wonderful introduction to ballet and one that brings people back year after year to see dancers from our Company, and students of Boston Ballet School, and to hear the sounds of the Boston Ballet Orchestra. "

The Nutcracker will be running through December 27 at the Boston Opera House at 19 Clarendon Street in Boston.

About The Author

Jason Rabin is a Blast contributing editor

One Response

  1. Brenda

    Pllllleeeease proofread or edit. Yay for the Nutty… boo for the apoostrophe abuse.

    Reply

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