First performed in the United States in 1944, “The Nutcracker” became a tradition in 1954 with ballet companies across the country — and the world — performing the show during the holiday season. Oklahomans can attend productions of the classical ballet in various cities across the state, including performances by the Oklahoma City Ballet, which will debut a brand-new production with new characters, sets, costumes, and “a lot more magic” this December. “We’re not merely staging a performance; we’re crafting a warm, wholesome, holiday story, and a visually stunning masterpiece for our audience,” said Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye, Oklahoma City Ballet Artistic Director.
Jolicoeur-Nye joined Oklahoma City Ballet in 2020 as the rehearsal director and was officially named artistic director in October 2022. Before OKC, he danced professionally in several ballet companies throughout the county, including the Kansas City Ballet, which would introduce him to the costume designer who would help bring his vision for a new production of “The Nutcracker” to life. “I first met Ryan ten years ago in the Kansas City Ballet and he portrayed my very first Drosselmeyer in ‘The Nutcracker,’” costume designer Holly Hynes said.
“I remember thinking, ‘Oh my God, this guy, I have to come back and work with this guy.’” Hynes was the director of costumes for New York City Ballet for 21 years. She has worked with dozens of domestic and international ballet companies.
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