THIS WEEK'S TOP BALLET NEWS
● Ohio Theatre Welcome Back BalletMet’s Nutcracker
● Ib Andersen’s Nutcracker Returns to the Symphony Hall Stage
● Avant Chamber Ballet Performs Paul Mejia’s Nutcracker
● Hope Muir’s Inaugural Season with The National Ballet of Canada Begins
Ohio Theatre Welcome Back BalletMet’s Nutcracker
Next month, BalletMet returns to the Ohio Theatre to dance Gerard Charles’ version of the beloved holiday classic, The Nutcracker. Nineteen performances featuring more than 180 Academy students will be complemented by an abridged show titled My First Nutcracker as an introduction to first timers as well as for those who prefer a more relaxed environment.
“The Nutcracker is always such a special way for us all to ring in the holiday season,” said BalletMet Artistic Director Edwaard Liang. “It’s truly the most wonderful time of the year for us as a company when we get to gather everyone together – including our academy students – to bring this cherished tradition back to life for our city.”
Ib Andersen’s Nutcracker Returns to the Symphony Hall Stage
Ballet Arizona, the Valley’s only professional ballet company, brings the joy of Ib Andersen’s Nutcracker to Symphony Hall. Beginning on December 9th and running through Christmas Eve, the dancers – accompanied by The Phoenix Symphony playing Tchaikovsky’s score – will share the beloved tale of Clara, her Nutcracker doll, and the grace of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
“The Nutcracker is about coming together to celebrate the holidays to the unforgettable music of Tchaikovsky. Watching it with your friends and loved ones will make your heart sing,” said Andersen.
Some highlights of this production are the 100,000 Austrian Swarovski crystals used to make the spectacular Snow Scene sparkle, the nine-foot tall Mouse King, and the use of twenty-five different backdrops to transport audiences through the magical story.
Avant Chamber Ballet Performs Paul Mejia’s Nutcracker
From December 9-11, Avant Chamber Ballet and local musicians led by Brad Cawyer will fill Dallas’ Moody Performance Hall with the energy and sounds of The Nutcracker. This is the third year that ACB has presented this full production in the Dallas Arts District.
“This is the biggest production of the season for Avant Chamber Ballet and sells out every year! We are happy to now present five performances at Moody Performance Hall so everyone gets to enjoy Paul Mejia’s amazing version of The Nutcracker,” says Kaite Puder, the company’s Artistic Director.
Hope Muir’s Inaugural Season with The National Ballet of Canada Begins
On November 9, the Toronto based ballet company will open Hope Muir’s first season as Artistic Director with The Collective Agreement by Alonzo King, the mainstage debut of Crepuscular by Vanesa G. R. Montoya and Kenneth MacMillan’s Concerto.
“In programming my inaugural season for The National Ballet of Canada, I sought opportunities for the company to celebrate our artform as a community on stage. The 2022/23 season includes both beloved classical ballets from our repertoire and introduces exciting new choreographic voices to our artists and our audiences alike,” said Muir. “It has been so uplifting to feel the momentum and enthusiasm building as our dancers broaden their range and deepen their engagement with each ballet, and this triple bill is a perfect reflection of that sentiment. I am especially pleased to present the National Ballet’s first work by the influential and important American choreographer Alonzo King.”
RECENT ARTICLES
Photo Credits: 1) BalletMet dancers in The Nutcracker. Photo by Jennifer Zmuda; 2) Ballet Arizona dancers in The Nutcracker. Photo by Alexander Iziliaev. 3) Annie Laws in Avant Chamber Ballet’s The Nutcracker. Photo by Jordan Fraker; 4) Siphesihle November and Artists of the Ballet in rehearsal for The Collective Agreement. Photo by Karolina Kuras.
