Brooklyn Ballet Presents THE BROOKLYN NUTCRACKER

Brooklyn Ballet, a unique and interdisciplinary Dance Company rooted in the classical idiom, presents the premiere of The Brooklyn Nutcracker, December 7-9 and 11 at the Brooklyn Museum. A re-imagined holiday classic, The Brooklyn Nutcracker fuses ballet, hip-hop and a myriad of world dance genres to create a new tradition for today's audience. The Brooklyn Nutcracker transforms familiar Nutcracker characters and scenes to represent the diverse traditions and vibrant culture of melting pot Brooklyn.

Brooklyn Ballet's collaborations with tech-based artists and designers create a multi-sensory experience, experimenting with ground-breaking technology of light and motion-responsive costumes, and a digital set which transports us from old Dutch Brooklyn to the iconic Flatbush Avenue. The production is fresh and full of virtuosity-a moving Christmas card to the borough.

Amidst the traditional narrative-a Victorian-style holiday party for Clara and friends, Snow Scene, and Waltz of the Flowers-Brooklyn Ballet's version of the enchanting classical Nutcracker uses Brooklyn's cultural traditions and diversity as its backdrop. Clara's mysterious uncle Drosselmeyer is portrayed by hip-hop pop and locker Michael "Big Mike" Fields, and each snowflake is donned in LED wired tutus that illuminate with the sweep of Tchaikovsky's rich score. The Brooklyn Nutcracker creates a holiday keepsake with this reconceived classic, choreographed by Lynn Parkerson and a host of prestigious collaborators. Brooklyn Ballet welcomes back Ingrid Silva and Dylan Santos, courtesy of Dance Theatre of Harlem as Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier, and introduces world artist Nakota LaRance, 6-time World Hoop Dance Champion. LaRance, from the OhKay Owingeh Pueblo in New Mexico, performs his sensational mix of traditional hoop and hip-hop dance to open the second act. The Brooklyn Nutcracker features over 50 dancers: Brooklyn Ballet's professional dancers, African-based modern dancers, Middle Eastern belly-dancers, Brooklyn's top pop and lock, gliding and flex'n dancers, as well as Brooklyn Ballet School's own students.

"The Brooklyn Nutcracker was born in 2010 on a Brooklyn street corner, a dance collaboration between a petite ballerina and a large hip-hop dancer. Passersby were mesmerized so I knew we were on to something," explains artistic director Lynn Parkerson. "Bringing the longer work onto a bigger stage this year provides our local Brooklyn youth and multi-genre dancers an opportunity to participate in this universal tradition and engages our community on a broader scale, inviting audiences of all ages to enjoy this Brooklyn-ized holiday classic."

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Wednesday, December 7 at 8:00 p.m.*

Thursday, December 8 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, December 9 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, December 11 at 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

*All Opening Night tickets include champagne toast at intermission. Dinner and performance tickets include pre-performance dinner at The Norm, Brooklyn Museum's newly opened restaurant, beginning at 6:00 p.m.

TICKETS and VENUE INFORMATION

Tickets are now on sale. Opening night prices are tiered at $255 (dinner + performance), $75, $55, $40. All other performances are priced at $90, $60, $40 and $25. Tickets are available for purchase https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/965544 or (718)-246-0146. The Brooklyn Museum is located at 200 Eastern Parkway in the Prospect Park area of Brooklyn and is accessible by the 2 and 3 trains to Eastern Parkway/Brooklyn Museum.

REPERTORY DETAILS

The Brooklyn Nutcracker

Concept/Choreography: Lynn Parkerson

Music: Pytor IIyich Tchaikovsky

Art Director/Set Design: Avram Finkelstein

Costume Design: Rebeccah Pailes-Friedman, Leila Ligougne, Sylvia Nolan, YMX by Yellowman

Technologist: Nicholas Vermeer, NYC Resistor

Lighting Design: Ben Bauer

Projection Design: Shawn Boyle

Collaborating Choreographers: Thomas Baird, Michael "Big Mike" Fields, Claudia Jeschke, Sira Melikian, Sydnie Mosley

Length: 90 minutes

A re-imagined holiday classic, The Brooklyn Nutcracker fuses ballet, hip-hop and a myriad of world dance genres to create a new tradition for today's audience. The Brooklyn Nutcracker transforms familiar Nutcracker characters and scenes to represent the diverse traditions and vibrant culture of melting pot Brooklyn. Starting from the point of view of old Dutch Brooklyn and leading to the iconic Flatbush Avenue, the production is fresh and full of virtuosity-in essence, a moving Christmas card to the borough Brooklyn Ballet call's home.

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