Sendaks initial skepticism at creating just another nutcracker, stowell says, gave way to intrigue as they discussed early on the objective to create something innovative, a. Maurice sendaks art illuminates the delights of hoffmanns story in this rich and tantalizing treasure. See maurice sendaks littleknown designs for the opera. Following his involvement in an operatic adaptation of where the wild things are in 1979, maurice sendak was asked to design a new production of that famous festive chestnut, the nutcracker. Our grandson loves reading and handles books above his 3rd grade level. The bold and imaginative costumes and set design dreamt up by sendak, the author of where the wild things are, has given seattle a nutcracker unlike any other for decades, and mark zappone has been in pnbs costume shop. The work was considered groundbreaking for its honest treatment of childrens emotions, especially anger, and it won the 1964 caldecott medal. Pacific northwest ballet premieres kent stowellmaurice. Knowing what to expect can also help younger viewers feel brave during the more intense scenes, like the battle against the mouse king.
Maurice sendak and the nutcracker what i got 2 say. Published by arrangement with crown publishers, a division of random house, inc. We are taking our 8yearold grandson to the nutcracker ballet. On december, 1983, pacific northwest ballet premieres a new production of nutcracker. The nutcracker by maurice sendak enchanted booklet. Nutcracker by maurice sendak and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Hoffmans original story, the nutcracker and the mouse king, or the maurice sendakillustrated version of the book called simply nutcracker. I have the vhs from years ago and had it converted to a movie file. Maurice sendak, kcrw bookworm interview by michael silverblatt, may 18, 1992. A short version of the nutcracker story, using, as much as i could, the illustrations by maurice sendak. Pnbs stowellsendak nutcracker takes a final bow the. We went to see the matthew vaughan production earlier.
In 1979, one kent stowell, choreographer for the pacific northwest ballet, contacted illustrator maurice sendak about collaborating on a new ballet production of the nutcracker. Maurice sendak was born on june 10, 1928 in brooklyn, new york city, new york, usa as maurice bernard sendak. Maurice sendak was born on june 10, 1928, in brooklyn, new york, to jewish immigrant parents. In 1983, four years after he adapted where the wild things are for the stage, sendak designed the set for the pacific northwestern ballets production of nutcracker. This beautifully hardbound edition makes a great addition to any child, or adults library. This beautiful book preserves the compelling vision of hoffmans classic christmas tale that acclaimed illustrator maurice sendak created for the pacific northwest ballet. The brilliant result of close collaboration between pnb founding artistic director and choreographer kent stowell and renowned childrens book author and illustrator maurice sendak, nutcracker premiered to national acclaim in december 1983. Maurice sendak, in full maurice bernard sendak, born june 10, 1928, brooklyn, new york, u. He joined with the eminent translator ralph manheim to produce this illustrated edition of hoffmanns wonderful tale, destined to become a classic for all ages. The iconic twoact ballet had originally premiered on december 18, 1892, with a score by tchaikovsky and story based on alexandre dumass. After 31 years and hundreds of performances, pacific northwest ballet has begun its farewell to kent stowell and maurice sendaks nutcracker. The story was interesting to me on one level as a child and it still captures my attention as an adult. Nutcracker maurice sendak first edition signed rare. Nutcracker by hoffmann e t a ralph manheim translator.
In 1979, one kent stowell, choreographer for the pacific northwest ballet, contacted illustrator maurice sendak about collaborating on a new. Hoffmann in 1816, has fascinated and inspired artists, composers, and audiences for over two hundred years. The ballet is choreographed by pacific northwest ballet artistic director kent stowell b. It has retained its freshness because it appeals to the sense of wonder we all share. Maurice sendaks lusciously illustrated edition of e. Sendak was the son of polish immigrants and received his formal art training at the art students league of new york.
It depicts claras inner conflict and confusion, as well as the beginning of her sexual awakening, as she approaches adolescence. He died on may 8, 2012 in danbury, connecticut, usa. Maurice sendaks designs for where the wild things are, the nutcracker and the magic flute are on show at the morgan library and museum. Pnb to shelve its beloved version of nutcracker in 2015. When we hear the name maurice sendak, our mind cant help but to immediately think of his oh so famous picture book where the wild things are. In seattle, maurice sendaks wild nutcracker reaches. The mandatory christmas tree and candy land sequences were enough to sink. Maurice sendak 19282012, design for battle scene, act i nutcracker, 19821983, by maurice sendak 19282012. He was a writer and producer, known for where the wild things are 2009, little bear 1995 and where the wild things are 1975. Based upon the pacific northwest ballets original production. So the pair agreed to abandon the predictable nutcracker and set out to find a fresh version that would do honor to hoffmann and the ballets composer. Nutcracker 1986 the colorful holiday classic is finally brought to the big screen, designed by famed childrens story author and artist maurice sendak, and written for the first time to be as close as. Maurice sendak designed brilliant sets and costumes for the.
Maurice sendaks weird and wondrous illustrations for the. Of course, maurice sendak drawings are quite special. Translatorralph manheim and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The perspective and level of detail and general artistry are fine, but theres something really off about his rendering of human characters, especially. With sets and costumes designed by renowned illustrator maurice sendak where the wild things are, and choreography by pnb founding artistic director kent stowellpacific northwest ballets. Maurice sendak was born to polish jewish immigrant parents in brooklyn new york on june 10, 1928. In seattle, maurice sendaks wild nutcracker reaches its final act for more than 30 years, the pacific northwest ballets nutcracker has used sets and costumes designed by the author of where. Maurice sendaks designs for opera and ballet is made possible with generous support from the rita markus fund for exhibitions, the maurice sendak foundation, the caroline morgan macomber fund, rudy and sally ruggles, and the david berg foundation, with assistance from marilyn j. Seattles maurice sendak nutcracker takes a controversial last bow. Maurice sendak designed brilliant sets and costumes for the pacific northwest ballets christmas production of nutcracker and has created. Pacific northwest ballets nutcracker, with lavish sets and costumes by maurice sendak and choreography by kent stowell, has been a tradition for seattlearea families since 1983. By 1981, at age 53, sendak was working on the sets of four different operas. A lavish, exciting and heartwarming celebration of dance, of music, and of life.
He had never been around ballet before, and he watched the training and rehearsals for nutcracker. For more than 30 years, the pacific northwest ballets nutcracker has used sets and costumes designed by the author of where the wild things. In 1983 maurice sendak designed the set for the pacific northwestern ballets production of nutcracker. A largely selftaught artist, sendak illustrated over one hundred books during his sixtyyear career. Memories of his childhood are filled with grief and horror of his extended family being killed during the holocaust which exposed him to the reality of death at an early age. The motion picture, like the stowellsendak stage production on which it is based, is presented as claras comingofage story. Heres one id not heard of before, his take on that old christmas chestnut the nutcracker.
This book is a wonderful way for a kid to be introduced to the story. Since maurice sendak died earlier this year ive been digging through his back catalogue, uncovering childhood favourites like the big green book and discovering new classics like i saw esau. In addition to his beloved childrens books, maurice sendak june 10, 1928may 8, 2012 vitalized the popular imagination with his equally innovative contributions to theater. E t a hoffmann maurice sendak nutcracker 1991 illustrator inscribed with dj. The colorful holiday classic is finally brought to the big screen, designed by famed childrens story author and artist maurice sendak, and written for the first time. The nutcracker 1984 read online free book by maurice. So stowell and russell approached the late childrens book author and illustrator maurice sendak and invited him to. Wonderfully reimagined through the eyes of maurice sendak, the nutcracker is the perfect tradition for any young childs christmas. In seattle, maurice sendaks wild nutcracker reaches its final act. The colorful holiday classic is finally brought to the big screen, designed by famed childrens story author and artist maurice sendak, and written for the first time to be as close as possible to the original story. The stories behind maurice sendaks nutcracker designs. The motion picture is the 1986 film version of the pacific northwests maurice sendak production.
Maurice sendaks designs for opera and ballet the exhibit, which runs from june. He joined with the eminent translator ralph manheim to produce this illustrated edition of hoffmanns wonderful tale, destined to become a classic for all. Hoffmann in 1816, has fascinated and inspired artists, composers, and audiences for almost two hundred years. Although sendaks illustrations for the book were published in 1984, nutcracker was reissued a few months following sendaks death earlier this year and on the 50 th anniversary of where the wild things are. Sendak, stowell and the history of pnbs unique nutcracker. With hugh duncan bigney mitchell, vanessa sharp, patricia barker, wade walthall. The motion picture, a new film version directed by carroll ballard and designed by maurice sendak, aims for something more. Hoffmans the nutcracker and the mouse king, stowell and sendak delved deeply into the original story and. Hoffmanns nutcracker, illustrated with wildrumpus appeal by maurice sendak, restores the holiday classic to its original enigmatic luster. Sendaks first professional encounter with nutcracker came when he was approached by the pacific northwest ballet to recreate the original e. Stowell says, it was a very spiritual experience for him. When i was a teenager and starting to learn the harp i attended the first year of the stowell and sendak nutcracker.