Simply place the nut on the stainless steel base with nonslip rubber bottom, cover with the rubber domed top and push down on top of the dome with a light tap or crush it with your fist. The first fulllength production in the united states. Nutcracker by bruno christensen for menu consumerisms. The 1986 christensentomasson nutcracker sf ballet blog. This unique nutcracker features a stainless steel base, a domed rubber top and a nonslip rubber bottom. Willam christensen, director of san francisco ballet from 193851 and the choreographer of americas first. Interview with christian holder, his work as death in the green table and the moor. Tis the seasonsan francisco ballets nutcracker opens wednesday at. She danced the sugarplum fairy role with the san francisco ballet when it staged the original american production of nutcracker in 1944. Constance devernay, thomas edwards, sophie martin, bruno micchiardi. Americas oldest nutcracker celebrates its milestone 75th anniversary this month. Christensen, director of the san francisco ballet in the 1940s, had not seen a complete nutcracker before creating his own. Damara bennett as a mirliton in lew christensen s nutcracker henri mcdowell. After mounting the first fulllength nutcracker in the united states 75 years ago in 1944, thensan francisco ballet director willam christensen wondered what he had wrought.
It was 1944 that the san francisco ballet first performed willam christensen s version of the russian ballet. Gisella caccialanza and william christensen backstage in. In 1997, scott ostler spoke to willam christensen, the san francisco ballet director who decided to put on the production. Helgi tomasson, who was named artistic director in 1985, went ahead with christensens plans, unveiling the companys fourth production of nutcracker in 1986. The san francisco ballet performs the nutcracker annually to this day, though not necessarily with christensens choreography their most recent version is choreographed by helgi tomasson. Willam christensens 1944 nutcracker sf ballet blog. Christensen s nutcracker was the first of five staged by san francisco ballet, where the piece has grown larger, more lavish, and more sophisticated with each subsequent production. Christensens nutcracker continues in salt lake city, where it is performed annually by christensens ballet west. The author is touring productions of the nutcracker across the united states. Though this production predates the new york city ballet version by 10 years, anderson. She had lived for many years in nearby san bruno, calif.
Ballet wests historic, sumptuous nutcracker delights at. San francisco ballet students as the chinese dragon in lew christensen s nutcracker, 1980. Scholarship fund 75th anniversary of willam christensens the nutcracker. Willam christensens 1944 nutcracker san francisco ballet. This unique nutcracker features a stainless steel base, a domed rubber top and a.
Willam christensen created his production for san francisco ballet in 1944the first fulllength version in the u. The ballet school was sold to willam and harold christensen and the ballet. Claras on her toes for 60th anniversary of nutcracker. Richard bonynge, bruno bartoletti, julius rudel, composers aribert reimann, stage directors. Lew christensen was working on yet another production of nutcracker at the time of his death in 1984, and had already chosen jose varona as his designer. See more ideas about joffrey ballet, documentary film and interview. It was produced on a shoestring budget, but captivated a nation. A world premiere for ballet west by esteemed choreographer edwaard liang. Stahlbaum grandpa grandma party children ballerina doll nut doll jack in the box. Dessert cookbook and music of the nutcracker ballet.
Lew christensens 1967 nutcracker san francisco ballet. This thats what i like dance routine might blow bruno mars out of the water. A nutcracker marathon, coast to coast the new york times. Willam christensen created the first original fulllength production of the nutcracker in the united states back in 1944, when he was director of the san francisco ballet company.
Easton smith, rehears for ballet wests production of the nutcracker at the kennedy center. The cause was a stroke, the san francisco ballet said. Willam christensons choreography, which was created for san francisco ballet and received its first performance on christmas eve in 1944, was. Its the 75th anniversary of the nutcracker in the u. Christensen, a longtime resident san bruno, passed in 1998 at the age of 83. Caccialanza danced with pioneering american companies and was married to lew christensen, an american choreographer, her early. In 1944, critics were stunned when willam christensen staged the first fulllength nutcracker at the san francisco ballet. Ballet wests choreographic festival continues to inspire creative works in this.
1174 681 80 1114 1552 135 1214 1647 1367 1317 191 1011 338 1340 164 179 796 302 952 89 532 1501 174 1070 518 32 44 427 1327 188 849 71 443 258 1256