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The Nutcracker

The dance scholar Jennifer Fisher says that The Nutcracker, at least in North America, has become as "regular as clockwork." Some may find it cliche and for some it may be obligatory. But Fisher argues that Tchaikovsky's piece is one of the most powerful traditions in the world of ballet and that it tells us a lot about the values we share. Friday, Doug talks to Fisher and Ballet West CEO and Artistic Director Adam Sklute about The Nutcracker and the place it holds in our culture. (Rebroadcast)

  • Ballet West's The Nutcracker opens December 2 and runs through December 26 at the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre in downtown Salt Lake City. The company is retiring their current sets and costumes after this season to make way for a new production in 2017. For tickets and information, call 801-355-ARTS or click here
  • Jennifer Fisher's book is "Nutcracker" Nation: How an Old World Ballet Became a Christmas Tradition in the New World. [Indiebound|Amazon]. She's also co-editor of When Men Dance: Choreographing  Masculinities Across Borders [Indiebound|Amazon]
  • Music from today's show: John Lanchbery/Philharmonia Orchestra, Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker - Highlights [Amazon]
Doug Fabrizio has been reporting for KUER News since 1987, and became News Director in 1993. In 2001, he became host and executive producer of KUER's RadioWest, a one hour conversation/call-in show on KUER 90.1 in Salt Lake City. He has gained a reputation for his thoughtful style. He has interviewed everyone from Isabel Allende to the Dalai Lama, and from Madeleine Albright to Desmond Tutu. His interview skills landed him a spot as a guest host of the national NPR program, "Talk of the Nation." He has won numerous awards for his reporting and for his work with RadioWest and KUED's Utah NOW from such organizations as the Society of Professional Journalists, the Utah Broadcasters Association, the Public Radio News Directors Association and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.