Events

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840–1893)
The Nutcracker

Act I

Scene 1: It is Christmas Eve and the Stahlbaum family decorates their splendid living room for the annual party. Their children, Clara and Fritz, rush in all aglow at the prospect of toys and magic and sweets. Soon the family is joined by all their friends and their beloved grandparents who have dressed in Russian style, and a wonderful party commences. The children perform a dance with Christmas garlands and their parents follow with a Polka.

Suddenly, at the height of the dancing, Herr Drosselmeyer appears. He is a Russian magician, a conjuror, a doll maker, and a mysterious man who at first frightens the children, but then enchants them with magic tricks. He brings with him three mechanical dolls who perform for the guests: a Ballerina doll, a mechanical Mouse and a handsome Nutcracker doll. Little Clara falls in love with the Nutcracker soldier and Drosselmeyer kindly rewards her with the doll as a gift. While Clara and her Nutcracker doll are dancing a pas de deux, the mechanical Mouse suddenly goes out of control. There is a terrible scuffle with the Nutcracker doll, who is suddenly knocked out by the Mouse. He lies broken and lifeless on the floor. As the guests depart the party, Clara mourns her broken doll. Her mother hurries her off to bed.

Late into the night, Clara creeps quietly back into the living room to console her poor Nutcracker and falls asleep by his side. Midnight strikes and the mysterious Drosselmeyer appears again. He casts a spell over Clara and puts her in dream-like trance. Her dream turns into a nightmare as mice begin scurrying all over the living room, and Drosselmeyer makes her house disappear and the Christmas tree grow to giant proportions. Clara runs to her Nutcracker doll and pleads with him to save her. He calls forth his army of toy soldiers and a huge battle rages with the mice, led by their Mouse King. The Nutcracker is about to be defeated when Clara takes off her shoe and strikes the Mouse King on the shoulder to distract him—just at that moment the Nutcracker runs him through with his sword and the battle is won!

Scene 2: For helping him win the battle, the Nutcracker offers to take Clara through the Kingdom of the Snow on the way to his home, the Land of Sweets. They encounter the Snow Queen and King and their Court, who dance the Waltz of the Snowflakes in a wintry scene.

Act II:

Angels dance at the gates of the Land of Sweets, followed by a team of Bakers who are working on a cake. Clara enters and is greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy, who dances a solo. Various confections then perform their characteristic dances for Clara: Spanish Chocolate, Chinese Tea, Arabian Coffee, Marzipan Shepherdesses, Russian Candy Canes, Salt Water Taffy Sailors and the Dewdrop Fairy and Flowers. The Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier then dance a pas de deux. The entire Court then all dance together in a spirited finale celebrating Clara’s joy and happiness.

The concert will showcase 80 minutes of music and will include a 20-minute intermission.

Whenever you want! Seriously, the tradition of clapping only at the end of pieces was only for a short time in the history of music. Typically, people like to clap after a great solo in a jazz tune, an impressive dance move, or after a great movement (section) in a symphony. If you really like a piece, clap at the end of the movement and yell "encore" if you want to hear more. (We love playing encores!)

Reserved Seating:

Tier 1 ticket - $74
Tier 2 ticket - $69
Tier 3 ticket - $58
Tier 4 ticket $42

Under 30/Student:

Tier 2 ticket - $39
Tier 3 ticket - $34
Tier 4 ticket - $20

*all ticket prices do not include box office fees

Tickets start at $42 for adults, $20 for under 30 and students, and go up to $74 based on the seat location. The least expensive seats are in the back of the balcony and the front row closest to the stage.

Here are some other helpful tips you should keep in mind:

• Interested in additional savings? Buy a subscription! Contact us at 406-252-3610 or visit our offices at 2820 2nd Avenue North and we'd be more than happy to find the best deal for you. Subscriptions for our 2023–2024 season are available!
• If you’re a student, veteran, or active duty military, be sure to bring your student/VA/Military ID for great discounts!

Third-party tickets are not accepted. All tickets must be purchased through the Alberta Bair Theater Box Office.

More than anything, we want you to have fun and express your own style when you come to the Billings Symphony, so dress in a way that works for you. Some people love dressing up and going out—if that’s you, do it and you won’t be the only one, we promise. If you prefer to be more casual, then you probably won’t be the only one dressed casually, either. In short, you do you, and we’re just glad you’re joining us.

On-Street Parking

On City streets, there is both metered parking and posted parking. Metered parking times range from 2 hours to 10 hours and is free after 5 pm and on weekends.

There are two free handicap parking spots on the corner of North Broadway in front of U.S. Bank.

Garages

Park 1
Credit/Debit Cards Only. Located at 2912 Third Avenue North and is open to the public 24-hours per day – the office is open Monday through Friday, from 10:30am-6:30pm. There is free parking on Sundays.

Park 2
Credit/Debit Cards Only. Located at 2651 First Avenue North, Park 2 is open to patrons 24-hours per day – the office is open from 7:15am – 11:00pm, Monday through Saturday.

Park 3
Accepts Cash. Located adjacent to City Hall at 210 North 27th Street and is open 7am-11pm – the office is open Monday through Friday from 10:30am – 6:30pm. There is free parking on Sundays.

Park 4
Located at 515 North 31st Street. The garage and office are open only Monday through Friday from 5:30am – 9:30pm. After 9:30pm, parkers are unable to remove their vehicles from the garage.