Ordway Presents THE HIP HOP NUTCRACKER This Weekend

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts announced today it will present The Hip Hop Nutcracker, this weekend, Nov. 24-25. The show comes to the Ordway on its first international tour, shortly after sold-out performances in New Jersey and New York. Tickets for The Hip Hop Nutcracker range from $25-$90 and can be purchased online at www.ordway.org, by phone at 651-224-4222 or in-person at the Ordway ticket office.

A holiday mash-up for the entire family, The Hip Hop Nutcracker reimagines Tchaikovsky's classic ballet through explosive hip hop choreography, an onstage DJ and a cast of a dozen all-star dancers. Kurtis Blow, one of the original founders and creators of recorded rap music, will appear as the special guest MC, while digital scenery transforms the original story of a sugarplum palace into 1980s Brooklyn. With remixed and reimagined hip hop interludes by DJ Boo and an on-stage electric violinist, The Hip Hop Nutcracker celebrates love, community and the magic of the holiday season.

Produced by the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, the tour of The Hip Hop Nutcracker is directed and choreographed by Jennifer Weber, artistic director of the all-female, Brooklyn-based hip hop crew Decadancetheatre. The story has been adapted to modern New York City by Mike Fitelson, executive director of United Palace of Cultural Arts, the work's original producer.

The cast includes Ann Sylvia Clark as Maria, Gabriel Alvarez as The Nutcracker, Myriam Gadri as Mom, Alain "Hurrikane" Lauture as Dad, and Miki Michelle as Drosselmeyer. Rounding out the cast are Lucile "Frak" Graciano, Taeko Koji, Sophia Lavonne, Derek Matterson, Frankie Rodriguez and Brandon Rosario. The creative team includes Taeko Koji (associate director/choreographer), Andrew Diaz (set), Whitney Anne Adams (costumes), Burke Wilmore (lighting) and Moe Shahrooz (video design).

For tickets and more information, visit www.ordway.org.