Pittsburgh Connections in The Nutcracker 2027

Act I

  • Act l is based in Pittsburgh.
  • The grandfather clock in the Stahlbaum home has the Kaufmann’s clock face.
  • Mr. Stahlbaum works at Westinghouse Electric Company.
  • Dr. Stahlbaum is a medical doctor at Irene Kauffman Settlement House.
  • Kauffmann’s Christmas Stories book in the Battle Scene.
  • The Duquesne Incline transports Marie, the Nutcracker Prince and Uncle Drosselmeyer to The Cloud Kingdom.

Act II

  • Squirrels and Acorns are inspired by Pittsburgh’s hills and lush greenery.
  • Baseball players pay homage to Pittsburgh’s love of sports and baseball.
  • Geodes are inspired by Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s displays in Hillman Hall of Gems and Minerals.
  • A steelworker pays homage to Pittsburgh’s steel histories.
  • Pierogies represent Pittsburgh’s culinary diversity.
  • The Sister Bridges represent Pittsburgh’s Three Sister Bridges: the Roberto Clemente, Andy Warhol and Rachel Carson bridges.
  • The Waltz of the Flowers costumes are inspired by Phipps Conservatory.

 

What’s New in The Nutcracker 2027 & What Remains the Same

New:

  • Costumes
  • Choreography
  • Sets
  • Backdrops
  • Projections
  • New Divertissement dance in Act ll
  • Bringing back characters from the traditional The Nutcracker cast:
    • Mother Ginger
    • Dew Drop Fairy
  • Introducing new characters:
    • Grandmother Marie
    • Clara
    • Icicles in “Waltz of the Snowflakes”
    • Male dancers in “Waltz of the Flowers”
    • Fireflies
    • Angels
    • Sugar Guards
  • New Divertissement Names and Characters in Act ll
    • Squirrels
    • Baseball
    • Geodes
    • Bridges
    • Pierogies
  • New Pittsburgh connections!
  • Connections between the past and the present
  • New magic tricks
  • New Name for Act II
  • References to the Duquesne Incline and Phipps Conservatory and Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s displays in Hillman Hall of Gems and Minerals.

NOT New:

  • Tchaikovsky’s stunning music
  • Favorite characters such as:
    • Marie
    • Fritz
    • The Nutcracker/Nutcracker Prince
    • Rat King
    • Sugar Plum Fairy
    • Snow Queen
  • Beloved dances (with new choreography), including:
    • Waltz of the Snowflakes
    • Waltz of the Flowers
    • Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
  • The Acts and Scenes:
    • There are still two Acts that include the Party Scene, the Battle Scene and the Snow Scene in Act I
    • The Cloud Kingdom (formerly the Land of Enchantment) in Act II