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Boston Ballet to Present Mikko Nissinen's THE NUTCRACKER, Today

By: Nov. 27, 2015
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November 16, 2015-(Boston, MA) Delighting audiences of all ages with a sense of youthful imagination, Mikko Nissinen's The Nutcracker returns to the Boston Opera House from November 27-December 31, 2015. Celebrated as "elegant and theatrically striking," this completely re-imagined production premiered in 2012 and has received praise from audiences and critics alike (The New York Times). With "sleek, bejeweled costumes and spacious, regal sets" by Robert Perdziola and all-new lighting design by Finnish-based Mikki Kunttu, this timeless holiday classic features the full company of 68 dancers along with more than 200 Boston Ballet School students (Thea Singer, The Boston Globe).

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"Year after year, this cherished production never fails to inspire audiences-whether they're seeing it again or sharing it with loved ones for the first time," says Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen. "The Nutcracker is a wonderful way for families to escape the hectic holiday season and cherish time with one another."


Since its world premiere in 2012, Mikko Nissinen and Robert Perdziola's re-envisioned production, set in what many know as the Jane Austen era of the early 1800s, has gained record-breaking popularity. With more than 350 handmade costumes and a series of elaborate sets featuring extensive amounts of moving scenery, the production has transformed into a uniquely magical experience for audiences of all ages.

This year's production features all-new lighting design by award-winning Finnish lighting designerMikki Kunttu. Kunttu has worked extensively in the area of dance and theatre, collaborating with artists such as Tero Saarinen and Jirí Kylián, and designing for several prestigious dance companies, including the Finnish National Opera Ballet, Norwegian National Ballet, and Royal Danish Ballet. In the past, Kunttu has collaborated with Boston Ballet as lighting designer for Marius Petipa's Sleeping Beauty (2005) and Jorma Elo's Carmen (2006). Kunttu's lighting design has brought him international acclaim, including the Bessie Award (2006) and the Venla Diploma of Merit (2010). Praised for his "dramatic" aesthetic, Kunttu brings a fresh, innovative perspective to this classic holiday story (Robert Greskovic, The Wall Street Journal).

"Mikki Kunttu is a rock star lighting designer," explains Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen. "His unique eye will add an even more exciting layer of magic and wonder to the production. I am looking forward to his contributions and happy to see his work again at Boston Ballet."


The Nutcracker includes the full company of 57 dancers, 11 Boston Ballet II dancers, and 217 Boston Ballet School students. The 42-performance run will feature many never-before-seen casts, showcasing the vast talent within the Company, and providing many opportunities for dancers to shine in Soloist and Principal roles. Each performance will be accompanied by Tchaikovsky's renowned score, performed by the Boston Ballet Orchestra, led by Principal Conductor Jonathan McPhee.

Mikko Nissinen's The Nutcracker is based on the libretto by Alexandre Dumas père titled The Tale of the Nutcracker, which is adapted from E. T. A. Hoffmann's story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. The story follows the wondrous journey of young Clara, who receives a nutcracker as a gift at her family's Christmas Eve party. Later that night, her nutcracker magically transforms into a handsome prince, who leads her through an enchanted forest and on to the Nutcracker Prince's Kingdom.

For a full synopsis and additional details, visit http://www.bostonballet.org/nutcracker/.

About Boston Ballet

Since 1963, Boston Ballet's internationally acclaimed performances of classical, neo-classical, and contemporary ballets, combined with a dedication to world class dance education and community initiative programs, have made the institution a leader in its field, with a 52-year history of promoting excellence and access to dance.

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen and Executive Director Max Hodges, the Company maintains a diverse repertoire, ranging from full-length ballets to new works by some of today's finest choreographers. Boston Ballet's second company, Boston Ballet II, is comprised of dancers who gain experience by performing with the Company and independently, presenting special programs to audiences throughout the Northeast.

Programming for Boston Ballet's 2015-2016 season includes Third Symphony of Gustav Mahler: A Ballet by John Neumeier, making Boston Ballet the first North American Company to perform the work; captivating classical works such as John Cranko's Onegin and Mikko Nissinen's Swan Lake; masterpieces by world-renowned choreographers such as George Balanchine and 20th century masters Leonid Yakobson and Léonide Massine; and two highly anticipated world premieres by Karole Armitage and Yury Yanowsky.

Boston Ballet School, the official school of Boston Ballet, has a long-standing dedication to providing exceptional dance education and ballet training to students across three studios in Boston, Newton, and the North Shore. Led by Director Margaret Tracey, the School reaches more than 5,000 students (toddler to adult) each year through its four core programs: Children's Program, Classical Ballet Program, Adult Dance Program, and Pre-Professional Program.

Boston Ballet's Department of Education and Community Initiatives (ECI) provides programming, events, and activities that connect the community to dance. ECI reaches more than 6,000 individuals in Boston, North Shore, and the surrounding communities each year through Citydance, ECI on Location, Adaptive Dance, and other community programs.

For more information, please visit www.bostonballet.org.



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