FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR It is my pleasure to welcome you back to the Ellie for our spectacular production of The Nutcracker. It has been two years since our Company last performed this beloved holiday tradition, brimming with the spirit of the season and set to Tchaikovsky’s entrancing score. We are beyond thrilled to bring The Nutcracker to dazzling life on the Ellie stage this year and to share our new sets and costumes with you. I wish to express my sincerest thanks to the incredible artists who made this dream a reality. To our remarkable designers, Holly Hynes and Thomas Boyd, there are no words to express our immeasurable gratitude for your extraordinary vision; our new Nutcracker is more breathtaking than we could have ever imagined. To our many gifted scenic and costume makers across the country, I thank you for your artistry and tireless work to breathe new life into this beloved production. And to our very talented dancers, whose commitment to their craft never ceases to inspire, I thank you for your strength, devotion, and tenacity. I am delighted to see you perform on stage this season, especially for this amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience of debuting new sets and costumes. Friends and supporters, Colorado Ballet wouldn’t be here without you. We are forever grateful for the tremendous support of our community over the past two years, as we weathered an unimaginable and challenging storm. We were able to emerge as a strong and stable Company, eager to continue sharing world-class ballet with Colorado and beyond. Seeing all of you in the audience this holiday season fills our hearts with indescribable joy. This production of The Nutcracker is for you. We invite you to join us for the rest of our celebratory 60 years +1 season. In February, Derek Deane’s Romeo and Juliet, one of the most beautiful yet tragic love stories of all time, returns in a stunning display of artistic grandeur. Septime Webre’s whimsical and athletic production of The Wizard of Oz will whisk you away this March on a whirlwind journey to the Emerald City. Groundbreaking dance takes center stage in April with Ballet MasterWorks, featuring acclaimed masterpieces Theme and Variations, Petite Mort, and Nine Sinatra Songs. Thank you for joining us for today’s performance of The Nutcracker. Whether you’re a first-time Nutcracker goer or a tried and true attendee, I hope that our beautiful new production will brighten your holiday season. Enjoy the performance!
Gil Boggs Artistic Director
6 Colorado Ballet