The decision by Chicago Tribune Charities to end its sponsorship of the Ruth Page “The Nutcracker” at McCormick Place (Metro, Dec. 2) is a disservice to the people, and especially the children, of Chicago. No other entertainment compares with its quality, magic and enchantment.
We first took our children when our youngest was 3. I expected we would be able to stay for half the show before they lost interest, but we stayed for the whole show. They never wavered in their attention and delight. It does not surprise me that ballet insiders say this is the best “Nutcracker” in the country.
The Tribune says “The Nutcracker” is too expensive and that it cannot compete with other events. Even the Tribune does not claim that it has not made money on this “Nutcracker” up until now. The only thing that has seriously changed is the Tribune’s support. Until last year, the Tribune widely publicized “The Nutcracker” every year. Last year and this it has barely advertised its existence.
It is true that some tickets are prohibitively expensive. Sadly, tickets to competing events are even higher priced. If sales are down, the obvious answer is to lower prices.
For years, the Tribune advertised “The Nutcracker” as “its gift to the people of Chicago.” It would be nice even if that were not true, that it would maintain its support of an event that is not just a tradition in this city but a valuable part of this city’s culture. Chicago should not allow the loss of this production.
