The magician behind the new magic in Louisville Ballet’s ‘Nutcracker’

By Eli Keel for Insider Louisville

People often use the word “magical” to describe an evening at the ballet, or that special feeling they get during the holidays. But in the case of the Louisville Ballet’s version of “The Brown-Forman Nutcracker,” the magic is built into the production.

Marshall Magoon is a Bay Area illusionist who designs magic for all kinds of theatrical productions, including multiple Broadway shows. He originally helped this version of the ballet find its feet when it premiered in Louisville in 2009, and he’s bringing some new illusions to the stage this year, along with the help of choreographer Val Caniparoli, when the production opens Saturday, Dec. 10.

The two spoke with Insider about making a magical story come to life.

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SWAN LAKE

November 11-14 2021
The Brown Theatre
Choreography by Robert Curran
Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchakiovsky

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The Brown-Forman Nutcracker

December 11-23, 2021
Whitney Hall, Kentucky Center
Choreography by Val Caniparoli
Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

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ChorShow

January 12-22, 2022
Louisville Ballet Studios

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Spotlight Series: Impressionism to Jazz

March 3-5, 2022
The Brown Theatre
A mixed repertory evening featuring:

Emeralds

Choreography by George Balanchine

Music: "Pelléas et Mélisande" + "Shylock" by Gabriel Fauré

In G Major

Choreography by Jerome Robbins
Music: "Piano Concerto in G Major" by Maurice Ravel

World Premiere Work

Music by Louisville-based Jazz Composer and Musician, Dick Sisto

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Sleeping Beauty

March 31 - April 2, 2022
The Brown Theatre
Choreography by Adam Hougland
Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchakiovsky

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