Victor Simon/Warren Lynch and Associates | courtesy The revamped version of “The Brown-Forman Nutcracker” opens this Saturday at The Kentucky Center.

One of Louisville’s favorite holiday traditions has undergone a massive face lift. When “The Brown-Forman Nutcracker” opens this Saturday, Dec. 5, the audience will see a ballet unlike any that’s ever been performed in Louisville.

“It’s completely new – new sets, new costumes, new choreography,” said Bruce Simpson, artistic director for the Louisville Ballet. “It won’t look like any ‘Nutcracker’ we’ve ever done in Louisville.”

The desire to revamp the holiday classic came from the simple fact that the same costumes, sets and choreography had been in use for nearly 15 years.

“Costumes and sets last about 10 to 15 years then begin to deteriorate. This production was 13 years old and the sets and costumes were starting to show their age,” Simpson said.

The ballet worked with world renowned costume and set designer Peter Cazalet and choreographer Val Caniparoli to give “The Nutcracker” new life.

Cazalet has designed costumes and sets all over the world, and he based some of the show’s scenery on Louisville landmarks.

Master illusionist Marshall Magoon, who’s work can be seen on Broadway in “Spamalot” and “Shrek the Musical,” created the ballet’s magical effects.

The story of Clara and the Nutcracker have been tweaked a little as well. The character of Marie, not Clara, is the main heroine, and she is played by a company member, rather than a child.

E.T.A. Hoffman’s original “Nutcracker” story featured Marie over Clara,

Other key changes include toy maker Herr Drosselmeyer playing a bigger role and the Rat King being portrayed as a dancer, instead of a mechanical beast.

The Louisville Orchestra still will be on hand to perform Tchaikovsky’s score.

“I’ve stopped going to the grocery store because so many people stop me and say how excited they are about the new ‘Nutcracker,’ ” Simpson said with a laugh.

The Louisville Ballet began performing selections from “The Nutcracker” in 1952. In 1963, it began full-length performances with musical accompaniment by the Louisville Orchestra. Brown-Forman began sponsoring “The Nutcracker” in 1984.

“Brown-Forman has given us an extremely generous gift,” Simpson said. “They’ve allowed us to do things like the school matinees, where we bring in underprivileged youth to see the ballet.”

“ ‘The Nutcracker’ is really a part of the fabric in American society,” Simpson added. “It’s a holiday tradition to see it.”

Deep roots
“The Nutcracker” was more than a tradition for Laura Melillo Barnum. A former student at the University of Louisville/Louisville Ballet dance school and ballet apprentice, she danced in “The Nutcracker” from 1970-80.

“I was everything from a mouse to a soldier to a cook to a party girl to a snowflake to a sugarplum to a bon bon girl,” Barnum said.
Barnum, now executive director of the Yum! Brands Foundation, remembers her time with the ballet fondly.

“It was great fun. What I found so wonderful was that “The Nutcracker” has opportunities for all ages to participate. I remember being a mouse at age 5 and knowing I was part of a bigger production. The older dancers always took care of us and were so good to us,” she said.

Tom Kimmetz, president of Kosair Children’s Hospital & Pediatric Services, played the mischievous Fritz  in two “Nutcracker” productions.

“My sister danced with the Louisville Ballet. She came home one day after I had been in a school play and said I should try out. I said, ‘No way, I don’t dance and I can’t dance,’ ” Kimmetz said.

But he tried out anyway and landed the role of the boy who breaks Clara’s beloved Nutcracker doll. Luckily, it was a non-dancing role.

“It was a fantastic experience to be on stage with my sister in front of thousands of people,” he said.

Kimmetz’s dance career ended there. His sister went on to dance with the National Ballet.

“The Brown-Forman Nutcracker” runs through Dec. 20 in Whitney Hall at The Kentucky Center.

Show times vary by day. Tickets are $25-$95.

For more information, call 584-7777 or visit kentuckycenter.org.