I would like to share my experience at "The Nutcracker" performance.
First, this is a ballet it is not simply "The Nutcracker" nor a parody - it is Tchaikovsky's masterpiece known around the world for its music. However, you did not even put Tchaikovsky's name on the cover of the program, website, or billboards and mentioned his name only somewhere inside the program after the artistic manager, premiere sponsor, production team, etc.
It looks not simply strange for art lovers - it looks inappropriate.
Since the late 1960s, "The Nutcracker" has been danced by many ballet companies, especially in North America. Major American ballet companies generate around 40% of their annual ticket revenues from performances of this ballet. Its score has been used in several film adaptations of Hoffmann's story. I think at least these facts are enough to give tribute to Tchaikovsky's musical talent.
Second, Chocolate (Spanish Dance), Coffee (Arabian Dance)
Tea (Chinese Dance) were all performed in the costumes reflecting the nature of these dances and the composer's intent. However, Trepak (Russian Dance) instead of traditional Russian costumes was performed in golden driller costumes (yellow work costumes and hard hats). What is it if not erasing Russian culture or in the best case mocking Russian culture? It looks especially absurd given that Tchaikovsky is a great Russian composer. There are many things going on in politics in the modern world, but it cannot justify the vandalism of Russian culture.
This is a few minute fragment of the Russian dance from "The Nutcracker" how it is supposed to look.
https://youtu.be/1_vP7M0Cock?si=boHqAXKesfNVJTEO
My husband, our friends and I left after the scene with the "Russian dance" in American oil worker costumes. We regularly attend symphony concerts, chamber music concerts, etc. Tulsa is a very culturally rich city. However, after what we saw at your performance, we will not be back to any Tulsa ballet performances. Perhaps, somebody from the "creative team" will decide to put clown outfits on the performers in "Dance of The Knights" from S. Prokofiev's ballet "Romeo and Juliet." ???! read more