4th Quarter Newsletter 2026

for the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum

A BUCKET OF TEARS

 Each year there are thousands of young ballerinas who dream of becoming Clara in the Nutcracker Ballet and together they fill a bucket of tears when they do not get that prized part. Maybe they were too tall or too short or did not fit into the company’s costume, or maybe they had not practiced enough or did not exude the necessary personality needed for this coveted role. But those buckets were soon draining as each of those young dancers, once in tears, became happy again after finding their name on the cast roll. They would not be Clara, but they would still be on stage in a beautiful costume and still be part of this magical Christmas story. And maybe next year…………

The Nutcracker Ballet is now a Christmas tradition with the majority of American families, and it is often the first classical ballet that many see. It was viewed as a failure when first performed in 1892 in Russia. The San Francisco Ballet introduced it to American audiences in 1944, but it was the performance of the New York City Ballet in 1954 with Balanchine’s staging that got every dance company, both professional and amateur, in crowded cities and rural small towns, excited about creating their own version. Today there are countless performances each year even though it is difficult for many to follow the story of Clara’s adventures, and it is often considered a bore by many men.

Think of all the people who are involved with this production---teachers, costumers, ticket takers, make-up artists, musicians, lighting and sound technicians, mothers who become taxi drivers for several months of rehearsals, daddies who hold the family together during these hectic days, and “busts his buttons” when he sees his young dancer on the stage.

This ballet is a financial boon to all ballet companies, both professional and amateur, as they reap 40-50% of their yearly budget from producing this one ballet. People become fascinated with the nutcracker itself and buy one, or more, for the family at their favorite gift store. Perception of the nutcracker itself has changed from being a utilitarian kitchen tool to a holiday collectible as it is now a must for Christmas décor. There are nutcracker designs on t-shirts, tablecloths, stationery, greeting cards, placemats, even pajamas and sox. And the Nutcracker Museum displays 15 different nutcracker ballet groupings, for the enjoyment of all the young dancers who play Clara or France, or a toy soldier that battles the mice. And it was the Nutcracker Ballet that turned dance teacher Miss Arlene into the Nutcracker Lady.

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Arlene Wagner, The Nutcracker Lady

Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum
Email: curator@nutcrackermuseum.com