Nutcracker | Columbia • SC

 

Few traditions are as memorable as Nutcracker, and in South Carolina, William Starrett’s Nutcracker is the one that truly heralds the beginning of the holiday season in Columbia.

Presented by South Carolina Ballet, this beloved production returns to the Koger Center with all the grandeur, romance, and Southern charm audiences have come to cherish. Picture snow-draped trees, candlelit ballrooms, and soldiers in crisp military dress falling ever so subtly for girls in lace.

 

At its heart is the well-known story of Clara’s dreamlike journey through magical realms, but in Starrett’s staging, the tale is shaped by the romantic South, where tradition runs deep. The production’s custom-designed backdrops don’t just set the stage; they transport audiences, shifting from the opulent drawing room to a snow-laden forest, to the Land of the Sweets, all with artistic richness. The gentle romance between Clara’s sister, Louisa, and the Lead Cadet adds quiet emotional depth and romance, making Starrett’s Nutcracker an ideal choice for both families and couples looking to celebrate the season in style. This is ballet at its finest, and it’s also the only Nutcracker in town where you are guaranteed to see a live unicorn! 

 

All Saturday evening performances will feature live accompaniment by the South Carolina Ballet Orchestra, conducted by Scott Weiss, bringing an added layer of richness to an already unforgettable experience.

 

Some ballets are beautiful, some are beloved; Starrett’s Nutcracker is both. And in South Carolina, it simply is just not Christmas until you’ve seen William Starrett’s Nutcracker!