KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Within one day, the Kansas City Ballet had two performances of the Nutcracker, and the Kansas City Symphony had two concerts, making it the biggest Sunday of the year for performances around the metro.
6,400 people made up the merging crowds in the grand hall of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday. Many wore their finest, and some even sported their ballet slippers.
“We’re doing 95 percent attendance for all of our Nutcracker performances. Tonight and this afternoon, we were so sold out, I couldn’t even get a ticket for myself,” said Jeffrey Bentley, who is the executive director of the Kauffman Center.
Bentley also added that there were only a few no-shows, even with the bad weather overnight from Saturday into Sunday.
The Nutcracker accounts for $1.7 million in income, which is more than half the total from ticket sales for the ballet’s entire season.
In Prairie Village, Kan. the attendance was down a little due to weather, but many came out to listen to the Village Presbyterian’s choirs and orchestra spread tidings of joy. The concert was free although there was an offering for charity.
“I just love Christmas music. I love just the traditions and remembering Jesus’ birth,” said concert attendee, Irene Ladd.
The symphony wrapped up its holiday shows Sunday night, but the Nutcracker still has two performances left. One is on Monday and the other is on Tuesday. As of Sunday, seats were still available for those two shows.
