The Nutcracker Comes To Jorgensen Stage 12/11

This year, compliments of the Connecticut Ballet, in its 30th year, and under the direction of Brett Raphael, The Nutcracker will create visions up to and including the Sugar Plum Fairy, yes, but also the crouching Cossacks, Mouse King, soldiers, and Clara and her prince in two performances on Sunday, Dec. 11.

Connecticut Ballet’s professional company of dancers will be joined by a cast of local children, chosen by audition, in both dance and character roles. Founded in 1981, the nationally recognized company performs a diverse repertoire of new works, masterworks and great story ballets, such as Coppèlia, Cinderella and The Sleeping Beauty, as well as The Nutcracker. It also develops future artists and audiences through its affiliated educational programs.

Since being singled out at the age of 10 by the great choreographer George Balanchine to receive a Ford Foundation scholarship to study at the School of American Ballet, Connecticut Ballet co-founder and artistic director Brett Raphael has toured the world and has worked with the Boston Ballet, the Joffrey II Dancers, the Nederlands Dans Theater and the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. In 1999, he created Zig Zag Ballet, now the resident dance company of the Stamford Center for the Arts, which features cutting-edge contemporary ballets.

Connecticut Ballet’s dancers hail from an array of stellar troupes, including American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Paul Taylor Dance Company, San Francisco Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Company, MOMIX, Mark Morris Dance Company and others.

The Nutcracker is based on a tale by E.T.A. Hoffmann, revised by Alexander Dumas. In this full-length production, Tchaikovsky’s musical score sound-paints the action in a vivid orchestral palette that captures the ephemeral quality of dreams, the mysterious character of Drosselmeyer, the excitement of the battle with the Mouse King, the exotic figures in the “Land of the Sweets,” and the exquisite romance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. The production includes a Christmas tree that grows and a sleigh that moves across the stage. It’s the perfect holiday treat for children and adults alike.

See Connecticut Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker at Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts, located at 2132 Hillside Road on the UConn campus in Storrs. Tickets are $25, $27 and $30, with some discounts available. Call the Box Office, Monday through Friday, 11 am to 5 pm, at 860.486.4226, or order online at jorgensen.uconn.edu. Free, convenient parking is available across the street in the North Garage.