Nashville Ballet Puts Local Twist on Classic Holiday Tale
Nashville Ballet returns with local holiday tradition, Nashville’s Nutcracker, for the ninth consecutive year with the Nashville Symphony December 3-23, 2016, at TPAC’s Jackson Hall. Nashville’s Nutcracker weaves together the city’s vibrant history with one of the most beloved tales of all time for a Nashville holiday tradition unlike any other.
Clara’s enchanted journey begins at the 1897 Centennial Exposition in Nashville. Along with her Uncle Drosselmeyer, she meets a fascinating cast of characters from faraway lands. When she receives a magical wooden Nutcracker from Drosselmeyer for Christmas, the toy comes to life to lead her through a whimsical holiday dream—complete with the very characters she met at the Exposition. When the curtain closes on Clara asleep on the couch after her adventure, the audience is left to decide if it was real or just a dream.
“Nashville’s Nutcracker was designed to be seen over and over again because you find little details in it each time that make it exciting and fresh,” Paul Vasterling, Nashville Ballet Artistic Director & CEO, said. “The story itself is magical as it is, but the addition of Nashville’s iconic characters and landmarks into the production guarantee that you’ll discover something new every year.”
Vasterling’s original concept and choreography is complemented by an entirely locally produced production, including the dancers, production crew, costumers and musicians. Along with 47 members of Nashville Ballet’s professional dance company and second company, Nashville’s Nutcracker will include a youth cast of 251 young dancers from School of Nashville Ballet and the community at large—the largest youth cast in the company’s history.
“Nashville’s Nutcracker simply wouldn’t be complete without the youth cast,” Vasterling said. “They bring a new, vibrant energy to each performance that’s contagious for both the performers and audience members. Giving the youth in our community an opportunity to perform in this holiday tradition adds to the magic of the season for them—and for us.”
Nashville’s Nutcracker is presented by Benefits, Inc. Tickets start at $28 and can be purchased in person at the TPAC box office in downtown Nashville, by phone at (615) 782-4040 or at www.nashvilleballet.com. A complete performance schedule and more information can be found online.
About Nashville Ballet
Nashville Ballet is the largest professional ballet company in Tennessee. Nashville Ballet presents a varied repertoire of classical ballet and contemporary works by noted choreographers, including original works by Artistic Director & CEO Paul Vasterling. Nashville Ballet and the second company, NB2 (a pre-professional training company), provide more than 75,000 arts experiences to adults and children annually through season performances and its Community Engagement programming. Curriculum-based Community Engagement programs bring dance education to community centers, colleges, public libraries and public elementary, middle and high schools across the state. School of Nashville Ballet brings world-class dance instruction to students age 2 to 70.
Nashville Ballet receives public funding from Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission, Tennessee Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional private support provided by Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund, Caterpillar Financial, Dollar General Literacy Foundation, The HCA Foundation, Ingram Charitable Fund, Inc., The Mall at Green Hills, The Memorial Foundation, New York Choreographic Institute, Publix Super Market Charities, The Shubert Foundation, SunTrust Bank, other community partners and hundreds of generous individuals who provide ongoing annual support.
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