When the posters for the Washington Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker hit the streets, accented with cartoon caricatures of George Washington, it was hard not to be skeptical. Would the Capitol dome become a prominent set piece? Would little children running around be designed to symbolize Congress? The possibilities were endless. But the skepticism is unwarranted: Choreographer Septime Webre’s production, featuring everything from 19th century carousels to 20th century cherry blossoms, is wonderfully done – even with Frederick Douglass as a guest at the holiday party.

Last weekend’s show at Warner Theatre was magical. A Warner-induced haze transformed me to a different time and place, a more regal Washington, D.C. The dancers’ precision, poise and dedication made for a beautiful show. Webre’s version has a few twists on classic components of the ballet, with renamed characters such as Redcoat Rats and Sugar Plum Pages. Tweaks aside, the performance itself was superb. Company members Sona Kharatian, who played Snow Queen and Runqiao Du as Snow King, particularly stood out with their fine technique, and the grace and beauty with which they executed the choreography.

The sets and costumes, including everything from a Georgetown mansion, a grand Christmas tree and the aforementioned cherry blossoms, were feasts for the eyes to behold. Both sets and costumes displayed a colorful simplicity, elegant in their restraint when a show like this can so frequently go overboard.