BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Boston Opera House may be closed because of the pandemic, but families are still getting the chance to watch one of the world's most popular performances.
Mikko Nissinen, the Artistic Director of Boston Ballet, tells WBZ NewsRadio's James Rojas that the annual Nutcracker show is a gateway to ballet as an art form.
"It's a production that brings families together to celebrate the holiday season," Nissinen said.
In lieu of in-person performances this year, Nissinen said the company is bringing the show directly to homes by streaming it on various local television channels.
"This is a year when we cannot be performing for you in the Opera House, so this capture is from last year's dress rehearsal," he said. "And it's a one-hour abridged version that tells you the story and shows you lots of exciting dancing."
The Nutcracker is one of the most performed productions in the world, but the Boston Ballet has had it's own "twist" in the show for several years.
Instead of the typical tin soldier included in the show, the Boston Ballet lineup features a bear as one of the three toys presented at the Christmas celebration.
"If you take a look at today's world and how many kids play with tin soldiers, I don't think you find many," Nissinen said. "You know its dark in the theater, but I can just hear people smiling [when they see it]."
The streaming schedule for the abridged performance begins on Saturday, Nov. 28, and show times and locations are featured on the Boston Ballet website.
WBZ NewsRadio's James Rojas (@JamesRojasWBZ) reports.
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