The last time I had been able to attend a ballet performance in Seattle was back when my cousin had been in the show in the winter of 2015. But luckily this year my cousin’s younger sister got into this year’s performance of “The Nutcracker,” and I was able to once again indulge in a wonderful night on Nov 30.

This year, the Pacific Northwest Ballet is doing the George Balanchine’s Nutcracker, separating from their long run of Stowell and Sendak’s version. Although the music choices stay the same, the plot does stray from the storyline that those who have not attended recently may be used to. Instead of being faced with the mountainous rat stage prop, the audience gets to witness the seven-headed rat king as he duels with the Nutcracker. Another major change is that instead of travelling to multiple different lands, Clara and the Nutcracker sail into the land of sweets and the Sugar Plum Fairy introduces the two to the dancers of distant lands who each represent a different sweet.

I had fully enjoyed the performance this year, but I wanted to see what it was like for those who actually got to perform it. My cousin, Isabella Park, was one of Mother Ginger’s Polichinelles and she said, “My favorite part about dancing in ‘The Nutcracker’ was probably like dancing with the older kids and the company. Also the costumes and the audience!” Her older sister, Serafina Park, danced in the PNB’s rendition of “The Nutcracker” in the winter of 2015 and 2013. She said, “ My favorite part was when the flowers came out and performed the dance of the flowers. Their dresses were so pretty and elegant and they really put a spell onto the crowd. They just made us want to dance too.”

Overall, “The Nutcracker” is a fantastic experience for everyone, from the audience to the performers. Whether you have been going for tradition, or it would be your first time, I highly recommend attending a showing of the PNB’s “The Nutcracker” for a night of fantasy and awe.