The Nutcracker Backstage : The Story and the Magic
 
Angela Whitehill and William Noble, Introduction by Wendy Whelan
 
This gorgeous book, a pleasure for kids, students and adults is full of the color and enchantment of a performance of The Nutcracker.
 
The Nutcracker Backstage starts with the full story of the Nutcracker followed by the backstage story from companies across the country of auditions, rehersals, costuming, makeup and the making of magical effects. Advice and stories from artistic directors, dancers, producers and choreographers show us how The Nutcracker becomes a favorite holiday spectacular- and why we love it.
 
Prime ballerina and Associate Artistic Director of the NYCB Wendy Whelan takes us through her years of portraying Nutcracker characters from age seven, when she was a mouse to the starring role of the Sugar Plum Fairy as an adult.
Lavishly illustrated by 103 full color photographs that were provided by:   
                              American Ballet Theatre
Ballet Ensemble of Texas              Pacific Northwest Ballet
Ballet Tucson                                      Princeton Ballet
New AdventuresCompany           San Diego Civic Ballet
New Jersey Ballet                            The New York City Ballet  
Olympic Ballet Theatre                  Vermont ballet Theatre
Oregon Ballet Theatre                    Vineland Regional Dance Company