About

Ventana Ballet & Red Nightfall Productions present:
The Watchmaker's Song
An immersive retelling of The Nutcracker. An Austin holiday favorite returns for its 5th Anniversary presentation of The Watchmaker’s Song, a jazzy & interactive re-imagination of the classic story of the The Nutcracker.

This is a Nutcracker for everyone. The Watchmaker’s Song is an immersive dance-theatre production based on the beloved ballet, The Nutcracker, performed at the historic Neill-Cochran House Museum. This holiday tradition serves our shared mission to nurture and grow the vibrant culture of Austin, giving artists of all backgrounds and cultural traditions a platform to share their craft. In a tribute to the cultural diversity of Austin, we present many different styles of dance... not just classical ballet: Egyptian Belly Dance, Spanish Flamenco, Argentinian Tango, American Tap Dance, and of course the inimitable Mother Ginger!

“...to dive inside this familiar work, to attend the party that kicks off the evening's adventure and take our own journeys to see cultures of faraway lands. The Watchmaker's Song let us in on the action – up to and including stepping out with Ventana's dancers... To be so close to something you know so well from afar is to see it anew. It is magical, and in a way that is all this show's own.” - Robert Fairies, Austin Chronicle. The Watchmaker’s Song is a performance for everyone in the community! If cost is prohibitive to your attendance, please email us at info@ventanaballet.com. We are happy to welcome you!

December 12-14 + 19-21 - Evening Shows
December 15 - Interactive Kids Shows

The Story: 
Inspired in part by the original tale The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by German Romantic-era author ETA Hoffmann (1776-1822), the story of The Watchmaker's Song centers on Clara, a quiet, kind, thoughtful young woman in her journey of empowerment and self-discovery. Guided by her mysterious relative, The Watchmaker, Clara becomes fascinated with The Nutcracker, a life-sized doll that at first appears lifeless, mechanical, inanimate…But Clara, with her keen perception and willingness to see beyond appearances, soon discovers that there are hidden truths under the surface that many are unwilling to see.