CNN iReport

In real life, when performances of "The Nutcracker" ballet begin that often means that the holiday season has truly arrived.  Now the same can be said for Second Life.  The first performance of Ballet Pixelle's version of The Nutcracker, "The Nut", took place on Sunday, November 23^rd, at the IBM theatre.

Set in 19^th Century Russia, "The Nut" is the story of a little girl, Clara, who receives a nutcracker for Christmas. Falling asleep with the new toy, she dreams that the doll turns into a handsome prince and she becomes his beautiful princess.  Clara finds herself in a castle, where dancers perform for her and entertain her. Eventually she awakens in her own room, never to be completely sure if this was a dream or if she really went to a magical place where she became a princess, even if only for an evening.

The first act begins with Clara, played by Neena Botanical, in her bedroom dancing with the nutcracker in her arms. The background is black and white, with a small Christmas tree in the center. Suddenly, the tree begins to grow and the nutcracker turns into a prince (played by Tik Merlin). Clara herself has changed from a little girl into a princess.

In the second act, Clara finds herself in a castle floating up in the clouds. A Russian man, four Arabian dancers on their flying carpets, a Chinese lady and even the snowflakes perform dances.  However, all good things must come to an end, and Clara returns home.

The third act shows Clara back at home, still dreaming of her adventures and dressed as a princess.  All the different dancers seen in act II are present, and the background blazes with color. However, by the end of the act she has returned to being a little girl in her bedroom (now shown in black and white) with only the little nutcracker doll for company.  Her magical adventure has ended, and she will never be quite sure if it was a dream or not. But does that really matter?

Director and choreographer Inarra Saarrinen incorporates all the unique qualities of Second Life into her choreography. It is only in SL that people can be transformed right before our eyes, as Clara is, from a little girl to a princess.  The Arabian dancers in the second act hover over the stage on flying carpets, no strings attached. However, these aspects of SL are used judiciously and blend seamlessly into the staging. And it must also be remembered that the dancers, who in reality are scattered across the globe, are actually performing live, not using poseballs or repeated scripting.  Each dancer is responsible for his or her own performance and many hours of preparation and rehearsal go into the productions.

The music for the ballet was composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and includes many instantly recognizable pieces. Since this is an abridged version of The Nutcracker the whole score is not used, but many favorites are present. The music in Ballet Pixelle's presentation is performed by the Orchestra of the Ballet Theater Moscow under the direction of Alexander Vedernikov.

This is the second year that Ballet Pixelle has performed "The Nut". With this production the company brings into Second Life the memories, traditions and atmosphere of the 19^th Century Russian Imperial ballet while they dance on into the digital era of the 21^st Century.

Ballet Pixelle Theater IBM 10 14, 179,25

The Nut is performed Sundays at 5 pm slt

1. Clara dancing with the toy nutcracker

2. Arabian dancers

3. Russian dancer

4. Chinese dancer

5. Dancing snowflake

6 All the cast in the finale