New York Theatre Ballet to Present Keith Michael's THE NUTCRACKER, 12/14-22

New York Theatre Ballet announces Keith Michael's The Nutcracker at New York City's Florence Gould Hall, 55 East 59th Street, New York City. Performances are at 11am, 1pm, and 3:30pm on December 14, 15, and 22. Tickets are $35 for children ages 12 and under and $40 for adults, and are available at online at www.nytb.org, via Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787, or in-person at the Florence Gould Hall box office. For more information, contact the Florence Gould Hall box office at (212) 355-6160.

New York Theatre Ballet (NYTB) returns for a third year of Keith Michael's The Nutcracker, an enchanting holiday ballet. From clockwork imps to a luminous owl that flies above the audience, mice dressed in polka dots and dancers dancing with huge chopsticks, this timeless, re-imagined classic bursts with energy and excitement. This holiday ballet, danced to Tchaikovsky's beloved score, is set in Art Nouveau style circa 1907 with innovative choreography by long-time NYTB choreographer, Keith Michael; set design by Gillian Bradshaw-Smith; and costumes by Resident Costume Designer of the Metropolitan Opera, Sylvia Nolan.

The Nutcracker is part of NYTB's Once Upon a Ballet series. Other ballets in the Once Upon a Ballet series include:

The Alice-in-Wonderland Follies

January 25, 2014 at 1pm and January 26, 2014 at 11am, 1pm, and 3:30pm

Cinderella

March 1-2, 2014 at 11am, 1pm, and 3:30pm

Carnival of the Animals & Sleeping Beauty's Wedding

May 3, 2014 at 1pm, May 4 at 11am, 1pm, and 3:30pm

New York Theatre Ballet (NYTB), founded in 1978 by artistic director Diana Byer, is the most widely seen chamber ballet company in the United States and has been hailed by The New York Times as "an invaluable company." NYTB is dedicated to inspiring a love of dance in diverse audiences through performances of chamber ballet masterpieces and bold new works, as well as innovative one-hour ballets for children, all at affordable prices.

By pairing the ballets of legendary creators with those of contemporary visionaries, NYTB brings a new understanding and appreciation of dance. The approach to live performance for children is groundbreaking and unique. New York Theatre Ballet offers an annual series of hour-long ballets tailored to the attention span of young audience members, while offering high production values and clever choreography sophisticated enough for discerning parents.

NYTB is committed to reaching underserved audiences by performing in small cities throughout the U.S. Its professional school provides ballet training based on the Cecchetti syllabus. Classes are offered at affordable prices. Scholarships are awarded to talented homeless and underserved children along with support for well-rounded learning.