THE NUTCRACKER BALLETBoston Ballet Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen has taken a crack at an all new production of Tchaikovsky’s Christmas Ballet Classic: THE NUTCRACKER! All new sets, costumes, staging, and choreography marked this radiant world premiere production at Boston’s Opera House on Friday November 23rd -opening night! I was among the very first people on the planet to see it in all its splendor– and even my husband (who is not necessarily a classical ballet fan) was enthralled.

Director/choreographer Mikko Nissinen painstakingly collaborated with costume and set designer Robert Perdziola to release the magic of this classic tale, literally framed onstage as a pop-up story that unfolds before our very eyes. It’s the story of a young girl named Clara on Christmas eve– who dreams of a handsome nutcracker coming to life and wafting her away on a cloud to his magical kingdom!

First she traverses a wintry forest; in the previous production, where once there were giant evergreens, now there are shimmering stands of silvery birches–a scandinavian wood that glows through a lacy snowfall. When Clara arrives, she finds herself seated in a grand hall, frescoed in pink and gold, top to bottom with celestial dancers.

The costumes now float around the dancers, moving with them– lighter and more refined, with over a quarter of a million swarovsky crystals, set in satin-swathed bodices and nestled in layers of chiffon and tulle; the whole production seems lit from within.

This world class company dazzled on opening night– led by 14 year old Chelsea Perry as Clara who is as marvelous an actress as she is a budding prima ballerina. Lithe and emotive, she infused every moment and movement with the innocent rapture of a young girl transported by a romantic dream.

Act I’s party scene was charged with humor and more than a hint of the enchantment to come– Irlan Silva and Seo Hye Han charmed as Harlequin and Ballerina Doll. The mice made hilarious entrances, the bear had more bounce, and one new little character nearly stole the show.

The  Christmas tree again grows huge– but in a new and even more dazzling way.  Only a somewhat inert battle scene disappointed, but overall the choreography and staging seemed crisper, more playful, more dramatically articulated and elegant than ever. It all culminated in the grand Pas de Deux, with Misa Kuranaga as a dainty and pristine Sugar Plum Fairy, flawlessly pirouetting while her dashing Nutcracker Prince–Jeffrey Cirio soared, weightless, in mid-air.

This is a monumental achievement for Boston Ballet as it approaches its 50th anniversary season, and a gift to the city where Boston Ballet’s world famous production of The Nutcracker has been a tradition for 42  years. Mikko Nissinen’s re-imagining is a fresh and lively take for the 21st century, still lovingly rooted in a classic vision of ballet theater and storytelling.

There are approximately 40 more performances before Mikko Nissinen’s THE NUTCRACKER ends at the Boston Opera House on December 30th! You’d be nuts to miss one.