Dance
No offense to the dancers, whom I'm sure worked really hard for this production, but this was underwhelming. It felt like I was attending a school musical/dance recital. The storytelling was chaotic and uninteresting. I should've just bought tickets to the traditional nutcracker ballet instead. Quite a few people left during intermission, so at least I know I'm not alone in my thoughts on this show.
I took my daughter to this show. It was on our bucket list of shows to see during the holiday season. We have been to traditional Nutcracker shows and this was our first time to see this version. It was different in a good way. We thought we would see more Hip Hop styles, but did love the extra Jazz and Tap styles that were in this show. The dancing was excellent and costumes too. It was a crowd pleaser. We sat in the balcony third row left side in about 5 seats from the side, unobstructed view according to the theaters websites and there was no poles in our way. The only obstruction we did have was part of the top of the curtain blocks the words on the screen in the back of the stage and left speakers hanging from the left side of the stage blocked some of the view of the stage. For example the part with the Christmas tree and it growing tall you could not view just the bottom of the tree. I would also advise those with fear of heights or any vertigo issues avoid the balcony. It was steeper than I thought it would be, but it does avoid any taller person in front of you blocking your view by tiered steeper seating. Overall I would go again but choose seats that were closer.
I take my now, young adult daughter to a Nutcracker every year since she was 5. Every year I pick a different show at a new location. This was by far the best version we have seen in our 15 year tradition!! We might make a new tradition and come back next year. A truly fabulous show!! Well done!
There was very little “urban” in the Urban Nutcracker. The show opened with a tap and “b-boy” freestyle scene, but with little context or narrative, this was confusing. After the opening scene, the remaining show was classic ballet-focused nutcracker and some random shout out to Boston imagery mixed in. Outside of one ill placed tap number, this was the Nutcracker without the polished and cleaned classical ballet performances one would expect. ?????♂?
Costumes, colors, sets all lovely. Dancing all good. What's not to like?
I took my daughter (9) for Christmas and we both had a blast! The show was great and even the venue's staff were all very nice!
I loved the Urban Nutcracker. The music & vibes were great? I felt the joy of the dancers, the sets were vibrant. Had a great view of the ballet. I enjoyed myself & going to this performance
The storyline was odd and disjointed. I expected the urban hip-hop to be blended well with ballet, but it was just these linear dance numbers that had nothing to do with each other. There was never hip-hop on the same stage with ballet, which is what I was hoping for. Also the dancing was subpar. There were a couple of good dancers, but most were not at a level warranting the venue or price. might’ve been nice for a little community show in Framingham, but not in Boston at the Schubert. Of course children are children but you need to have some basic level of dance and these kids were terrible. They were looking at each other because they didn’t know their steps and you could tell they have no dance experience. On a plus side, costuming was good, as was the set. in one of the numbers they had a young adult with Down Syndrome, which I applaud for inclusion. They also had a woman who looked to be in her 70s in a dance number. All in all, it was incredibly disappointing, and at times laughably terrible.
Extremely talented cast They combine the original Nutcracker with modern Boston.
I very much enjoyed the “Urban Nutcracker”. Something I’ve wanted to see for years and it did not disappoint. Loved the storyline which brought in a diverse cast with their own methods of dancing & movement. The children in the show were fantastic and did not miss a beat. The entire cast did the great job. I would definitely recommend everyone to see the show.
