First performed in 1944 in the US, "The Nutcracker" became a holiday tradition by 1954. In Oklahoma, audiences can enjoy various productions. The Oklahoma City Ballet will debut a new production this December with unique elements.

Artistic Director's Vision

Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye, the artistic director of the Oklahoma City Ballet, emphasizes that they are crafting a warm and wholesome holiday story along with a visually stunning masterpiece. He joined the ballet in 2020 and was named artistic director in 2022. Before that, he danced professionally in several companies and met the costume designer Holly Hynes in the Kansas City Ballet. 1: Jolicoeur-Nye's passion for creating a remarkable production is evident. He believes that Oklahoma City Ballet deserves the best "The Nutcracker" production that will leave a lasting impression on the audience. His vision extends beyond just a performance and aims to create a magical experience. 2: With his leadership, the ballet is set to introduce new characters, sets, costumes, and a lot more magic. This new production is expected to be a game-changer and bring a fresh perspective to the classic ballet.

Costume Designers and Their Work

Holly Hynes, the lead costume designer, has an impressive background. She was the director of costumes for the New York City Ballet for 21 years and has worked with numerous domestic and international ballet companies. Eric Wintering, another designer, has worked on various projects including "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" and "Wicked". 1: Working with these talented designers is a dream come true for Jolicoeur-Nye. Hynes first met Jolicoeur-Nye ten years ago in the Kansas City Ballet and was excited to work with him again when he became the artistic director in Oklahoma City. She started working with OKC Ballet almost two years ago and designed 195 costumes, a number that surprised even her. 2: The design process involves swatching over 4,000 different fabrics and collaborating with 18 artisans and makers. Inspiration for the designs comes from various sources such as fabrics, music, and more. Hynes' expertise in "The Nutcracker" allows her to create incredible designs that bring the story to life.

Changes in the Production

In this production, set in 1906, Clara's sister and brother join her on the journey instead of just Clara. This is a unique aspect that adds a new dimension to the story. 1: Normally, only Clara enters the dream world, but in this production, more characters are involved. This change brings a different perspective and makes the story more engaging. 2: The designers have also played with the story, adding elements that make it more exciting. For example, the use of different countries' desserts in the designs showcases the cultural diversity.

Designing for Different Lands

In The Land of Sweets, Hynes got to be very creative with her designs. Traditionally, these scenes showcase traditional folk dancing from different countries. But now, the ballet world is more respectful of different cultures and tries to embrace them. 1: Hynes used a lot of color in the first act to create an exciting and rich display of costumes. As the story progresses to The Land of Sweets, she had to find desserts with colors that could translate into fabrics well. 2: Some countries were easier to design for, like Spain with its hot chocolate theme. But for others, it was a challenge to find the right desserts and colors. The result is a visually stunning and culturally rich production.To see Hynes's designs and experience the new "The Nutcracker" production, purchase a ticket on the ballet's website. The show premiered on Dec. 14 and will run until Christmas Eve.