Books: Nutcracker Nation

[Guest sandik]

I haven't yet read Jennifer Fisher's book, but with all the turmoil surrounding the Boston Ballet/Radio City dichotomy in Boston I was wondering what those who had seen the book thought about the issue. Fisher was interviewed for the Boston Globe for this, and although she discusses the cultural and artistic heritage of Nutcracker, she doesn't mention the place it holds in the financial health of these groups -- is that point of view also missing from the book?

[Georgia]

Is the name of the book Nutcracker Nation?

[Guest sandik]

Is the name of the book Nutcracker Nation?

Yes it is, my apologies for any confusion!

[msd]

I jus finished Nutcracker Nation (after months of schlepping my dancing daughter to Nut rehearsals, I was in "Nutcracker withdrawal" in January .) Anyway, the book does talk about Nutcracker's place in company finances, not just in the Boston situation, but throughout ballet-dom. It was interesting, as she noted trends in several cities where the guaranteed bucks from the Nut run aren't flowing as fast as in the 80s and early 90s.

 

It is a fascinating read, and I enjoyed the contrast between the professional company and the regional ballet that the profiled throughout the book. That, and the great photographs and anecdotes from dancers, parents, ballet-goers. Good for the post-Nut blues!

 

msd