Nutcracker Backstage: The Story and the Magic

This inside look at the The Nutcracker combines both the story and insights into the performance, creating a rich complement to the classic ballet. Abundant illustrations and elaborate explanations of each character, from the Nutcracker Prince to Mother Ginger, provides an invaluable supplement to the ballet experience. The story behind Tchaikovsky's famous score and the elements of a quality performance are explained. The trials of auditioning and training are chronicled with the testimony of professional dancers, artistic directors, and choreographers who have been part of successful productions.

This inside look at the The Nutcracker combines both the story and insights into the performance, creating a rich complement to the classic ballet. Abundant illustrations and elaborate explanations of each character, from the Nutcracker Prince to Mother Ginger, provides an invaluable supplement to the ballet experience. The story behind Tchaikovsky's famous score and the elements of a quality performance are explained. The trials of auditioning and training are chronicled with the testimony of professional dancers, artistic directors, and choreographers who have been part of successful productions.

Angela Whitehill is a former professional ballet dancer with the Ballet de Paris in France and has served as artistic director, ballet mistress, costume designer, dance counselor, and lecturer in various productions of The Nutcracker. William Noble is the author of Bookbanning in America and is a Vermont Humanities Scholar. They are the authors of The Dancer's Book of Ballet and The Parents Book of Ballet. They both live in Island Heights, New Jersey.