This week from CPR’s Arts Bureau: ‘Nutcracker’ stamina, living in Antarctica and more

(Photo: Courtesy of Mike Watson)

This week's in-depth coverage of the Colorado culture scene from CPR's arts bureau:

• “The Nutcracker” ballet is filled with fantastical characters and Christmas magic. But it’s also hell on a dancer’s body. CPR arts reporter Stephanie Wolf examines the tenacity it takes for the Colorado Ballet to make the holiday production look effortless year after year.

• Colorado Symphony music director Andrew Litton is the New York City Ballet’s newly-appointed music director. Litton has also agreed to continue his tenure in Colorado and his position with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra in Norway. He talks to CPR about how he intends to juggle his many roles.

• The film “Antarctica: A Year on Ice” documents the life and beauty in the harshest environment on Earth. Colorado Springs firefighter David Prutsman, who is featured in the documentary, talks to CPR’s Ryan Warner about his experiences living and working in Antarctica.

• On Monday, the city of Denver announced plans to establish a new office of special events (OSE), intended to streamline the application process for public events. Newly appointed OSE executive director Katy Strascina explains how the department will work to CPR arts editor Chloe Veltman.
• Long before he was Jack Kerouac’s muse for “On the Road,” Beat literature icon Neal Cassady grew up dirt poor in pre-World War II Denver. CPR digital editor Hart Van Denburg photographed remaining city landmarks mentioned in Cassady’s memoir.

• In a personal essay, Colorado dad Matt Chasansky recounts his attempts to tell the truth about Santa to his skeptical 8-year-old daughter.

• Denver-based rock band Something Underground will host a concert benefiting Teach for America, an organization that works with communities to educate impoverished children. Band member Seth Larson answers five questions about the event.

Arts happenings around Colorado this weekend:

• CPR’s Arts Bureau spotlights this weekend’s Colorado cultural events, including an exhibition feature the artists of Denver’s TANK Studios, a rock concert benefiting teachers and more.
• The arts team also recommends holiday events around the state to get you in the spirit.

Coverage from CPR's arts bureau is now also available as a weekly podcast via iTunes and the NPR podcast directory.