PNB’s ‘Nutcracker’: A Parent Review for Seattle families

Pacific Northwest Ballet presents “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker,” a sumptuous story told with stunning visuals and a talented cast of performers. This production has been gracing McCaw Hall since it premiered in 2015, and the Christmas celebration has turned into a jubilant tradition for parents and children across the Seattle area.

The Story of ‘The Nutcracker’: A Kid-Friendly Overview

George Balanchine first staged “The Nutcracker” in 1954 for New York City Ballet, and his vision of dancing Sugar Plum Fairies and mischievous mice has been delighting ballet-goers ever since. Featuring the soothing music of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, the melody has become, for many, synonymous with the holidays. Balanchine’s rendition sticks closely to E.T.A. Hoffman’s 1816 fairy tale “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” upon which the ballet is based.

Clara is a young girl enjoying the dazzling activity swirling through her home at her family’s Christmas Eve party. Her home is decked to the brim for the holiday occasion, including a stunning Christmas tree that glitters from bottom to the golden angel at its top. As the children play, dance,  and fight over presents, the adults socialize in old-time elegance.

Clara’s godfather Drosselmeier enters the party with a unique gift in tow: a valiant wooden Nutcracker, which he gifts to his young goddaughter. The party ends. Clara falls to sleep and enters a dream world of incredible creatures and magical lands. Her nutcracker transforms into a life-size, animated soldier. A seven-headed Mouse King leads his rodent minions in a battle against her brother’s regiment of toy soldiers. After a gallant win, the Nutcracker leads Clara to a snowflake forest and transforms into a handsome Prince.

In the second act, Clara and the Prince sail to the Land of Sweets where they are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy who dances with her golden angels and introduces Clara to exotic characters who represent delectable delights: Spanish chocolates, Arabian coffees, Mother Ginger and her tiny polinchinelles, teas from China, Russian candy canes, and German marzipan. The colors and flavors cap off a decadent journey for Clara and her valorous Nutcracker.

How the Show Plays for Kids

Adults will appreciate the design and set details of the first act, which is set predominantly in Clara’s family home, but younger viewers may be less interested in the magnificent vision of domestic life. After intermission, my 5- and 7-year-old kids were honed in on the Land of Sweets.

The vivid color palette captivated them. Appealing shades of mint and peach whirled as Dewdrop leads the Waltz of the Flowers. The Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier prance in royal purple and gold. Mother Ginger’s yellow striped circus-tent-sized dress skirt provides the most comedic relief and elicited many gasps and shrieks of delight from the audience.

Scenes That May Be Scary — Or Not

Though the mice and their Mouse King are certainly the closest characters to a villain in the production, their brief sword fight and antagonistic presence never crosses a line that would make audience members of any age nervous or unsettled. There are brief moments of dimming light, but nothing more than momentary near-darkness. The biggest hurdle for many families will be the length of the production, although the 25-minute intermission is very helpful in breaking it up for those with short attention spans.

Length, Intermission and Attention Span Tips

The full runtime is just over two hours, but the 25-minute intermission is genuinely helpful for families. Snacks and space to move around go a long way in resetting younger audiences.

Behind the Magic: Design, Music and Visuals

This production of Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker” is a multi-media delight for the senses. The production opens with a scene-setting video that takes the audience through a snowy wood to Clara’s home. Multiple full-stage screens give the production depth as the characters flit between walls and rooms in Clara’s house. The colorful and romantic stage and costume designs, both created by the late artist Ian Falconer, bring the magic of the story to life. Snow sprinkles down over Clara and the snowflake dancers in a picturesque vision for a winter wonderland.

Essential Tips for Parents Attending PNB’s Nutcracker

Parking can be difficult with all of the events happening at and near Seattle Center. Purchasing pre-paid parking at Mercer Street Garage not only saves you from the headache and stress of looking for street parking, but also offers the easiest access to McCaw Hall. It’s connected to the venue via skybridge and costs $22.50 if you book at least 5 hours before your designated show time. Otherwise, purchasing at Mercer Street Garage in person will run you $30.

Be sure to get there early enough before showtime to pre-order food, drinks or treats at any of the concession stations. Your items will be waiting for you at intermission, and you will thank yourself by avoiding the long lines. There is a restaurant on the first level that will take your order and have a table ready for your party to enjoy a sit-down experience. We sat down at one such table for the 25-minute break, where my kids, who had not yet eaten lunch, were able to scarf down chicken tenders and a Nutcracker-themed cookie to tide them over for the final half of the performance. To say it was a clutch move is an understatement.

Bringing little ones? Complimentary booster cushions are available on a first-come, first-served basis and will help them see the stage over taller heads in front of them.

Finally, McCaw Hall is decked out to the nines in Christmas cheer. There is a gigantic tree at the main entrance, along with a smattering of smaller ones posted up around the building. There are photo opportunities all over the first floor, including 2D versions of the characters in “The Nutcracker” (my girls loved crawling into the replica of Mother Ginger’s dress). Making an occasion of it by dressing up is a time-honored tradition that is exciting for attendees, young and old. My daughters felt so special in their holiday attire, and PNB was the perfect kick-off into the season.

There is something so special about “The Nutcracker” as a holiday-time tradition, and after this year, I think it will become one that we return to year after year.

Know Before You Go: Dates, Times and Ages

• Date: The show runs through December 28, with a variety of showtimes spanning the morning
  and evening.
• Location: McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer Street, Seattle, WA 98109
• Runtime: Approximately 2 hours and 3 minutes with one 25-minute intermission.
• Recommended Age: PNB does not give an explicit recommended age. This production is likely good for kids 4+
  who are able to sit in their seat for one-hour increments.
• Special Performances
  • The Sensory-Friendly Performance is on Friday, December 12, at 2 p.m.
  • The Audio Described Performances are on Friday, December 1,2 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and
    Saturday, December 13 at 2 p.m.

More Seattle Holiday Performances for Families

Seattle’s holiday arts season is packed with family-friendly magic, and if your crew loved PNB’s “Nutcracker,” there’s plenty more to explore.

• Other Nutcrackers Around the Sound. Looking for a smaller venue, a condensed performance, or a fresh take on the classic? Our roundup of local Nutcracker productions highlights options across Seattle, the Eastside, and the South Sound.
• Holiday Shows Guide: What to See This Season. Our Seattle Holiday Shows Guide features the full lineup of festive performances happening across the region. It’s a one-stop look at musicals, concerts, ballets, light-filled spectacles, and limited-run productions to help families plan.
• Parent Review: “Elf The Musical” at The 5th Avenue Theatre. “Elf The Musical” brings big laughs, colorful spectacle, and that signature Buddy-the-Elf joy to the stage. Our parent review walks through what kids will love, what may surprise you, and insider tips before you go.
• Parent Review: “The Lion King” at The Paramount Theatre. Disney’s “The Lion King” remains one of the most visually breathtaking touring productions today. Our behind-the-scenes parent review includes a special backstage look at the puppets and masks — plus details families need.
• Parent Review: “The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza” at SCT. Seattle Children’s Theatre’s new Pigeon holiday musical is goofy, heartfelt, and perfectly tailored for young audiences. Our parent review covers the storyline, the humor kids respond to most, and why this show makes a gentle, joy-filled introduction to live theater for kids.