Free virtual ‘Nutcracker’ presented by the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra and Fairfax Ballet Company

Guest soloists Elina Miettinen and Sean Stewart, both American Ballet Theatre alumni, in the Fairfax Symphony and Fairfax Ballet Company production of “The Nutcracker.” [Fairfax Symphony Orchestra]

By David Siegel

With performing arts venues and concert halls closed for live entertainment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, three Fairfax County institutions have developed a solution for those seeking holiday entertainment. 

Fairfax County government television channel 16, the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra, and the Fairfax Ballet Company will bring classic holiday music and dance directly into homes with a virtual production of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker.”

“We are delighted to partner with two of our premier Fairfax County arts organizations to bring this wonderful holiday production into the homes of our residents for all to enjoy for free and safely this season,” said Jeffrey McKay, chairman of Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

In the past, thousands of patrons went to the live Nutcracker performance at George Mason University Center for the Arts Concert Hall every year. In contrast, the virtual Nutcracker could reach more than a million Fairfax County residents.

“In collaboration with our wonderful partners at the Fairfax Ballet and Fairfax County Television, we are thrilled to continue our annual holiday presentation of ‘The Nutcracker’ this year as our gift to the community,” said Jonathan Kerr, executive director of the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra.

“The Nutcracker” virtual performance was filmed in 2019 at the Center for the Arts. The performance is unique as one of few Nutcrackers in the D.C. region to feature live, musical accompaniment together with dancers on stage. Fairfax Ballet’s dancers perform with the Fairfax Symphony under the direction of Christopher Zimmerman, performing Tchaikovsky’s captivating score.

“We’re honored to join the Fairfax Symphony to share this virtual production of the Nutcracker,” said Karla Petry, executive director of Fairfax Ballet and owner of the Russell School of Ballet. “Viewers are in for a special treat as they watch our talented dancers on stage, together with our special guest soloists.”

This production features guest soloists and American Ballet Theatre alumni Elina Miettinen dancing the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Sean Stewart as the Cavalier. 

Nicole Shortle, age 16 of Oakton, performs the role of Clara. Carlos Martinez (George Mason University) is featured as the Nutcracker Prince with Phillipe Smith-Cobbs dancing the Arabian pas de deux. There are more than 50 dancers and students ages 7-18 from Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties.

A glorious treat for a winter’s night.

Where and When: Fairfax Symphony Orchestra and Fairfax Ballet present Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” as a free, virtual broadcast production televised on Fairfax County government channel 1016 (Cox in HD) and Channel 16 (Verizon/Comcast), and streamed through Dec. 27 every Friday at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 7 p.m., and Sundays at 2 and 7 p.m. More details here. 

Note: GEICO and the Kensington Reston and the Kensington Falls Church Assisted Living & Memory Care Communities are premier sponsors of this virtual production, helping to make the event accessible to the broadest possible audience. To help raise additional funds to support its music and education programs, the non-profit Fairfax Symphony is offering a free gift of holiday cookies to those who donate $250 or more to the nonprofit organization.

David Siegel is an Annandale resident who covers the arts for local news publications. This post is based on an article in the Connection Newspapers.