THE BROOKLYN NUTCRACKER Returns in December

 Brooklyn Ballet will return with an expanded run of six performances of The Brooklyn Nutcracker at its new venue, The Theater at City Tech in Downtown Brooklyn, from December 12–15, 2024. With its fusion of ballet, street dance, and a rich mosaic of global dance genres, The Brooklyn Nutcracker stands as New York's only culturally inclusive interpretation of this beloved holiday tradition.

Grounded in a deep commitment to authentically reflecting Brooklyn's vibrant multicultural heritage, the production's creator and Brooklyn Ballet's artistic director Lynn Parkerson infuses the show with beloved characters reimagined for the 21st century. From a mysterious pop and locking Herr Drosselmeyer and a daring hip hop battle scene, to a vogueing bohemian Mother Ginger, audiences are taken on a journey from Victorian Flatbush to modern day, with detours through notable Brooklyn landmarks, including the Brooklyn Botanical Garden and a visit to the Flatbush Avenue subway platform. For the Nutcracker traditionalist, an olden-day holiday party sets the opening scene, while the majestic flurry of the Snow Scene, Waltz of the Flowers, and Grande Pas pays homage to the original vision of Petipa and Ivanov, brilliantly interpreted by Parkerson and her collaborators.

Last year, Parkerson introduced live musicians, enriching each divertissement with the dynamic sounds of traditional instruments, including beatboxer Baba Israel, violinist Zafir Tawil, accordionist Mikhail Smirnoff, and Yimin Miao on the dizi, a Chinese bamboo flute. These live musicians return for this year's expanded performances. Act I features a commanding, larger-than-life Rat King brought to life by Krump King Brian “Hallowdreamz” Henry, while in Act II, artists from Ukrainian Dancers USA perform a traditional Ukrainian Hopak, and Aliesha Bryan, the first-place winner of Flamenco Certamen 2016, reprises her role in Spanish Hot Chocolate. Dance Theatre of Harlem company artist Kamala Saara dances the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy with her Cavalier, Jonathan Hart, the Eva Dance Studio performs a culturally specific representation of the often-controversial Chinese Tea, and authentic Middle Eastern belly dancer Sira Melikian dances the sultry Arabian Coffee. The production also welcomes back Michael “Big Mike” Fields as Herr Drosselmeyer and Native American Hoop Dancer ShanDien LaRance, who spent nearly a decade under the big top of Cirque du Soleil's TOTEM. ShanDien joins the cast following the untimely death of her brother, Nakotah LaRance, who originated a unique role in the production since its inception, fusing together hip hop and hoop dance in his signature style.

"We are thrilled to bring The Brooklyn Nutcracker to a new venue this year, The Theater at City Tech, and to offer an expanded run of six performances," explains Parkerson. "This year's production embodies our ongoing commitment to celebrating diversity and inclusivity through dance, and it serves as a testament to the rich cultures that define Brooklyn. We warmly invite everyone to experience this unforgettable production—a celebration of unity, culture, and the boundless power of dance to inspire and connect."The Brooklyn Nutcracker distinguishes itself by embracing cutting-edge collaborations with technology-based artists and designers, delivering a multi-sensory experience like no other. From groundbreaking light and motion-responsive costumes that transcend multiple scenes to a digital set created by the visionary artist Avram Finkelstein, transporting the storyline from historical old Dutch Brooklyn to the iconic Flatbush Avenue, this production seamlessly blends tradition with innovation, captivating today's tech-savvy audience while honoring the timeless desire for human connection., in Downtown Brooklyn. The theater is accessible by subway: 2, 3, 4, 5, A, C, F, and R.

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