The secret of The Nutcracker’s extraordinary popularity was once explained by Ukrainian choreographer Orlikowski, who staged Shchelkunchik in Zagreb in 1970, creating a choreography that became the reference point for all later Croatian productions of The Nutcracker.
The great Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was among the rare composers who worked in close collaboration with choreographers, producing works that are not only musically and theatrically perfect, but whose rhythm and thematic diversity meet the unique demands of the ballet stage, inspiring movement and dance. The popularity and depth of the stories he chose—equally enchanting for children and adults—together with choreographic elements that are not excessively demanding yet allow dancers to fully display their artistry, form the “X-factor” that ensures The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, and Swan Lake will remain unchallenged as the crown jewels of the ballet repertoire for a long time to come.