Figure 1.--Boys are always needed to perform in fancy suits in the opening scene of "The Nutcracker".

Only a few ballets offer large numbers of roles for boys. Some of the most famous classical ballets in which boys have roles include: Hansel and Gretle, The Nutcracker, Peter and the Wolf, and the Queen of Spades. Other well-known clasical ballets with several parts for boys include: Don Quixote, Flower Festival, La Bayedere, La Corsiare, Coppelia, Petruska, Spectre de la Rose, and Khovanshchina. Modern and adaptions include: Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake, Matt Ek's The Sleeping Beauty, Ashton's Variations on a theme of Paganini, Balanchines Fearful Symatries, de Vallois' Checkmate, and Lisa Peach's Mascinations of Chess. Many other ballets have a few minor parts for boys. Because of the small numbers of boys who do ballet in many counties, girls may take many of these roles, even roles that clearly require boys such as the toy soldiers in the Nutcracker. Sometimes non-dancers are recruited for boy roles such as the boys in the party scene at the beginning of the Nutcracker.

Blue Danube

We were not familiar with a ballet titled "Blue Danube". Of course it would be based on the famous Strauss "Blue Danube Waltz". The noted Australian dance empresario Gertrud Bodenwieser choreographed and produced a ballet in the 1930s and 40s. One source describes costumes with "blue velvet bodices and full, flowing organdie skirts and sleeves" to evoke the famous river. The Bodenwieser dncers were women. We note a Vienna presentation for News Years 2009 which also featured blue costumes. In this case children, both boys and girls danced the prts.

Hansel and Gretle

A young brother and sister lost in the woods...a wicked witch with a taste for children...and a house whose construction would make any dentist's eyes light up! All the elements from the beloved Brothers Grimm fable Productions of the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale, Hansel and Gretel often blends whimsical choreography with gorgeous sets and exciting costumes. The parts of mice, moths, lollipops, candy canes, gingerbread cookies and wood fairies offer many roles for young dancers. Children with motivation and commitment--from 5-year olds through technically accomplished teens can be integral to the production.

The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker is perhaps the classic ballet for children. It is an annual ritual for American children as for children in other country's as well. Not only does the story and action appeal to children, but there are mant exciting roles for both boys and girls. Many such as the children in the opening party scene are suitable for children without extensive dance training. Other roles are much more demanding. The Nutcracker Ballet is based on the book called The Nutcracker and the Mouse King written by E.T.A. Hoffman. In 1891, the legendary choreographer Marius Petipa commissioned Tchaikovsky to write the music for the Nutcracker Ballet. In 1892, the first showing of the Nutcracker took place at the Mariinsky Theatre of Russia, home of the Kirov Ballet.

Peter and the Wolf

Queen of Spades

Sleeping Beauty

One boy who was chosen to play "Prince Charming" in a school production of Sleeping Beauty was not too enthusiastic about getting the role when he heard the reaction of the other boys in the school. Not only did he have to wear black tights in front of the whole school, but he had to kiss Snow White. Actually, Prince Charming was barely more than a stage prop in the play. He had only one line in the final scene. Prince Charming prances on stage and said, "Look at this pretty girl...she must be a princess". Then he had to kneel down and kiss her. It would be ridiculous to call this "acting,", but his mom was just delighted that her little boy was choosen to play "Prince Charming". He stayed in the play only because of her "encouragement".