Septime Webre, the artistic director of the Washington Ballet since 1999, excels in creativity. His choreography of “The Nutcracker” exemplifies the scope of his imagination.

“The art is at its most powerful when people see the dancers onstage presenting the concept of an American ‘Nutcracker,’ ” Webre said. “I set it in a Georgetown mansion in 1882 with bits of Washington history where prominent residents are guests. American culture is represented by the Colonists and Natives during the various numbers. Hundreds of details explain who we are as Americans through darned good energetic dancing.