20 at 2 p.m.Īnother local production with kids in mind is Island Youth Ballet’s Excerpts from the Nutcracker. Good to Know: There is a sensory-friendly performance of the Nutcracker scheduled for Dec. It includes Nutcracker-inspired hot and cold snacks, desserts, and drinks to fill hungry tummies mid-show. If you want to avoid lobby lines during the brief intermission, consider reserving a Nutcracker Suite for your family ($40). This full-length show is best suited for school-aged kids, but theatergoers of all ages will be riveted during the two-hour performance (that includes a 25-minute intermission), as they bask in the care and craftsmanship of this delightful event.
With more than 154 different costumes to gaze at-including Mother Ginger’s magical skirt that weighs more than 60 pounds-they’ll be dying to play dress-up when they get home from the ballet. Kids will be awed by the production elements, like a 40-foot-tall Christmas tree and more than 30-cubic-feet of snow that falls on stage during the snow scene in Act One. The production features the ever-mesmerizing choreography of Balanchine, plus lavish sets and costumes designed by Ian Falconer (yes, that Ian Falconer, creator of Olivia the Pig) that pique the senses. We couldn’t think of a better time to plan a family outing to see George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker. The Pacific Northwest Ballet is celebrating its 50th season this year.