The Nutcracker Suite Ballroom Scene

This year’s Gingerbread display is based on Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet The Nutcracker Suite.  The inspiration came from my nieces and nephews and the children of my friends who have all enjoyed seeing (and occasionally dancing in) the Nutcracker for years.

Arguably the most popular ballet of all time, The Nutcracker Suite can bring in up to 45% of a ballet company’s revenue each year.  The ballet was based on a story written in 1816 by E.T.A. Hoffman called The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.  The original 1892 ballet in Russia was only 20 minutes long, and it was not well-received. In fact, The Nutcracker Suite was one of Tchaikovsky’s least favorite compositions. The first full-length performance in the United States was George Balanchine’s New York production in February of 1954, and it was finally a success. The Nutcracker Suite has been performed in New York every year since then (and in Boston for over 40 years).

Some facts about this year’s gingerbread creation:

• Everything in the display is edible except for the lights and the strings holding the chandeliers.
• The construction measures 45” long by 20” high.
• The entire display contains 66 eggs, 48 cups of flour, 13 pounds of confectioner’s sugar, and 31.5 teaspoons of ginger.
• The chandeliers are crafted from melted baking sugar
• The fireplace stones are made from plain, chocolate, and tinted Whoopie Pie dough
• The fire is made of melted hard candy.
• The Nutcracker was painted by Nancy Webber with food coloring.

There were several assistants this year who should be mentioned:

• Helper Elf: Nancy Webber
• Electrician Elf: Steve Webber
• Eldest Elf: Alice MacGregor
• Special Teams Elf (chandeliers, presents, fireplace stones): Robin Gustafson, Meredith Kelsey, Alina Martinez, Heather Campbell, Karen Smith, Lisa Famularo
• Facilities Manager Elf: Val Barros