Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Reveals Characters & Story for New NUTCRACKER Premiering in 2027

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre has announced the characters and storyline of its all-new production of The Nutcracker, which will premiere in December 2027.

PBT's new version of The Nutcracker is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for both PBT and for Pittsburgh audiences to experience an updated adaptation of this cherished holiday tradition. The updated version will succeed PBT's current production of Terrence S. Orr's The Nutcracker, which will end its 24-year run in December 2026. 

“Our new annual holiday production of The Nutcracker will dazzle audiences for many years to come. We are thrilled to begin sharing elements of it with Pittsburgh,” said Adam W. McKinney, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre artistic director. “It promises to be a unique and unforgettable experience. I am sure that audiences will be excited about the combination of traditional story and characters alongside new, lovable characters and fascinating plot changes.”

About the new The Nutcracker

With the story by PBT artistic director Adam W. McKinney and Trey McIntyre and choreography by Trey McIntyre, PBT's all-new The Nutcracker, set in early 20th-century Pittsburgh, will feature new choreography, costumes, sets and Pittsburgh-inspired themes that celebrate the city's rich history. The production will stay true to the beloved classic story and its primary characters while introducing new characters and fresh twists and turns in the story. Tchaikovsky's beautiful score will remain, along with a new selection from the original 1892 production of The Nutcracker. 

The creative team for The Nutcracker 2027 includes concept and story by Adam W. McKinney and Trey McIntyre, choreography by Trey McIntyre, costume and set design by Susan Roemer, lighting design by Japhy Weidman, projection design by Stefania Bulbarella and magic by Dr. Kenrick Ice McDonald

The Characters

Beloved characters, including Marie, Fritz, Uncle Drosselmeyer, The Nutcracker, Rat King, Snow Queen and King, Snowflakes and Sugar Plum Fairy will remain in this version of the ballet. Traditional dances such as “Waltz of the Snowflakes,” “Waltz of the Flowers” and the “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” will also remain. Other dances will have the same music with new characters dancing in them. Traditional characters who were missing from PBT's previous version will once again be included in the new The Nutcracker, including the Dew Drop Fairy and Mother Ginger. Delightful new characters, inspired by Pittsburgh, will also be introduced in Act II divertissement dances.

Learn more about the characters in PBT's new version of The Nutcracker    Learn more about what is new and what is not new in The Nutcracker  

The Storyline

The general storyline resembles the original story in E.T.A. Hoffman's book The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. It follows the coming-of-age story of the young hero, Marie, and asks the questions, “What is real, and what is imagined?” Audiences can experience Marie's life from her cozy family holiday party, her brave battle with the Rat King, her awe at the beautiful snowstorm and her exciting adventure to The Cloud Kingdom. Audiences will also get a peek at Marie's life, with her granddaughter Clara, 50 years later.

Set in 1906 Pittsburgh, the story opens with the traditional holiday party where Marie receives the Nutcracker doll as a gift from her magical Uncle Drosselmeyer, beginning her epic journey. Marie takes charge during the Battle Scene after the rats and mice kidnap her Nutcracker doll. She leads the toy soldiers on a rescue mission and helps to defeat the evil Rat King of Burrowland. She, the (now human) Nutcracker Prince and Uncle Drosselmeyer journey through the beautiful Land of Snow to The Cloud Kingdom for Act II.