The Nutcracker Backstage: The Story and the Magic [Hardcover]

Angela Whitehill (Author), William Noble (Author), Wendy Whelan (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2004

This inside look at the The Nutcracker combines both the story and insights into the performance, creating a rich complement to the classic ballet. Abundant illustrations and elaborate explanations of each character, from the Nutcracker Prince to Mother Ginger, provides an invaluable supplement to the ballet experience. The story behind Tchaikovsky's famous score and the elements of a quality performance are explained. The trials of auditioning and training are chronicled with the testimony of professional dancers, artistic directors, and choreographers who have been part of successful productions.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Angela Whitehill is a former professional ballet dancer with the Ballet de Paris in France and has served as artistic director, ballet mistress, costume designer, dance counselor, and lecturer in various productions of The Nutcracker. William Noble is the author of Bookbanning in America and is a Vermont Humanities Scholar. They are the authors of The Dancer's Book of Ballet and The Parents Book of Ballet. They both live in Island Heights, New Jersey.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 120 pages
• Publisher: Princeton Book Company (September 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0871272644
• ISBN-13: 978-0871272645
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 9.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #906,749 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #23 in Books > Arts & Photography > Performing Arts > Dance > Choreography

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The reality of the fantasy: Nutcracker backstage, November 22, 2004

By 

ATP "santamonicaballetmom" (Santa Monica, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Nutcracker Backstage: The Story and the Magic (Hardcover)

I've been a ballet mom for more than nine years, which translates into volunteering at more than 72 performances of The Nutcracker. I wish I'd had this terrific book when I was just starting out. It includes a wonderful story-telling version of the ballet, lavish photos, and a great deal of detail about everything that goes on behind the scenes.
But the thing I like best about "The Nutcracker Backstage" is the loving way it treats the corps roles, especially the children's parts: the author devotes lots of pictures and prose to the mice, the soldiers, the Polichinelles, the angels and the party children. It's so nice to see a book that pays respectful attention to the many kids who aren't the "star" of the production, but nevertheless are indispensable in their own small way. And it's a lot of fun to see how different companies use costumes and makeup to give a distinct personality to "their" production.
This book would make a terrific gift for a child dancing in The Nutcracker or for the dancer's parents.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars G. Murphy - [e-mail], June 9, 2006

By 

G. Murphy "1993merc" (NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Nutcracker Backstage: The Story and the Magic (Hardcover)

The closest experience to Balanchine's own creation. There is so much we feel we know about this yearly tradition, which is performed throughout the world, but even as a music educator I can honestly say that I learned some vital information about individual characters.

Much of this was conveyed to me through the beautiful photographs, especially several from a Ms. Vanover, whose 'still' shots seem to move gracefully across the pages of this fine publication.

This book should be in the library of every fine arts educator, regardless of his or her performance area. Buy the book!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BEAUTIFUL BOOK!, December 31, 2007

By 

Avonlea Belle - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Nutcracker Backstage: The Story and the Magic (Hardcover)

I purchased this book for my niece, who has been in her dance company's performance of the "Nutcracker" for the past three years. She and I both loved this book, not only for the incredible photographs of different ballet companies across the U.S. but because it tells about ALL of the characters that are involved in this production. It of course covers the main characters as most of these types of books do but it gives equal time to the "smaller" parts that children normally play in this type of production. It starts with the auditioning process and then proceeds to cover every aspect of a production of this magnitude, including what happens backstage before, during and after the performance. It also describes all of the pre-production aspects, such as making costumes, scenery, etc. Overall, it's an absolutely marvelous book and I would recommend it to anyone who already loves "The Nutcracker" ballet or those whom would like to learn more about it!