On Pointe

Houston Ballet's New Nutcracker is a Sight to See

Stanton Welch transforms the holiday classic with reimagined costumes, sets and choreography.

Photography by Amitava Sarkar By Jeanne Lyons Davis November 29, 2016

Melody Mennite plays Clara in artistic director Stanton Welch’s $5 million new production of the classic ballet.

A total of 143 new costume designs were conceptualized by Tim Goodchild.

Mackenzie Richter soars as the Snow Queen across the ethereal stage, also designed by Goodchild. A total of 5 new sets were constructed by 67 technicians in London and shipped to Houston.

The exquisite new costumes incorporate more than 100 yards of netting for tutus and petticoats, along with 450 square feet of synthetic rat hair for the Mouse King and company.

A total of 116 student dancers comprise the cast of 282 characters—142 more than choreographer Ben Stevenson’s 1987 version.

From new stages to elaborate costumes, Houston Ballet's multi-million dollar revamp of The Nutcracker is a feast for the eyes. Here, we do the numbers on how they created the larger-than-life restaging. But don't worry—the Sugar Plum Fairy, Mouse King, Nutcracker Prince and friends maintain their century-old charms.

Houston Ballet's The Nutcracker

Thru Dec 27. From $19. Brown Theater at Wortham Center, 501 Texas Ave. 713-523-6300. houstonballet.com

Houston Ballet, The Nutcracker, Stanton Welch, Dance

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Houston Ballet's New Nutcracker is a Sight to See

Houston Ballet's The Nutcracker

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