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BROOKLYN BALLET RETURNS TO THE KINGS THEATRE WITH NEW YORK’S ONLY CULTURALLY INCLUSIVE PRODUCTION OF THE NUTCRACKER 

 “The Brooklyn Nutcracker” Transforms a Holiday Tradition into a Radically Inclusive Production for the Twenty First Century

Expanded Version to Be Presented with New Scenes to Celebrate Timeless Tale

NEW YORK, October 18, 2021 — Brooklyn Ballet, a unique and interdisciplinary dance company rooted in the classical idiom, presents two performances of The Brooklyn Nutcracker, at the majestic Kings Theatre in Flatbush, Brooklyn, on Saturday, December 11, 2021. The first of its kind, this critically acclaimed production fuses ballet, hip-hop and an array of world dance genres to create a culturally inclusive production that highlights dances and artists from around the world and artists and students from Brooklyn Ballet. 

With a strong commitment to honor and authentically represent the vibrant and multi-cultural history of Brooklyn, this re-imagined holiday classic employs the talents of dancers from all disciplines and corners of the globe. A celebrated favorite for local families since 2016, this year’s production expands to complete the entire Tchaikovsky score, adding a daring and dramatic hip hop battle scene and Mother Ginger character fresh from the streets of Brooklyn with bohemian flair. The first-place winner of Flamenco Certamen 2016, Aliesha Bryan will reprise her role in Spanish Hot Chocolate, the Red Dance Studio Chinese Dancers in Chinese Tea, as well as authentic Middle Eastern belly dancer Sira Melikian in Arabian Coffee. Additionally, this year the production welcomes 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. 

Choreographer and Brooklyn Ballet artistic director Lynn Parkerson injects an unmistakable seasoning of Brooklyn culture by casting hip-hop pop and locker Michael “Big Mike” Fields as the mysterious uncle Drosselmeyer among a baroque dance scene, a contrasting a line of Mirlitons dancing among African-based modern dancers, and showing off Brooklyn’s top pop and lock, gliding and flex’n dancers as they transport audiences to the Land of the Sweets by way of a gritty and iconic subway platform. For the Nutcracker traditionalist, a Victorian-style holiday party for Clara and friends set the opening scene while the majestic flurry of the Snow Scene, Waltz of the Flowers, and Grande Pas remain true to Petipa’s and Ivanov’s vision as interpreted by Parkerson and her collaborators. 

“The production of The Brooklyn Nutcracker got its humble beginnings on a Brooklyn street corner with a dance collaboration between a petite ballerina and a large hip-hop dancer. We’ve welcomed audiences into venues of all sizes since then, and even brought a little holiday spirit to Schermerhorn Street last holiday season with a free, safe, and abridged production in our Jewelbox window space while all of the theaters of New York were dark due to COVID,” explains Parkerson. “Through it all we continue to celebrate our beloved borough and are proud to honor a lifetime mission of cultural diversity and inclusivity, bringing dance audiences into the twenty-first century and beyond.”

Also unique to The Brooklyn Nutcracker are collaborations with tech-based artists and designers providing audiences with a multi-sensory experience. From exploring ground-breaking technology of light and motion-responsive costumes throughout multiple scenes and a digital set that transports the plot from historical old Dutch Brooklyn to the iconic Flatbush Avenue, the production is primed for today’s audience in a climate centered in technology and innovation.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

The Brooklyn Nutcracker takes place on Saturday, December 11 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

TICKETS and VENUE INFORMATION

Prices start at $30 and are available at https://www.brooklynballet.org/performances/brooklyn-nutcracker

All patrons must show proof of vaccination and remain masked for the duration of the performance. 

The Kings Theatre is located at 1027 Flatbush Avenue, between Tilden and Duryea in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn. The theater is accessible by Subway: Q to Beverley Road, or the 2, 5 and B to Church Avenue.

REPERTORY DETAILS 

The Brooklyn Nutcracker

Concept/Choreography: Lynn Parkerson 

Music: Pytor IIyich Tchaikovsky

Art Director/Set Design: Avram Finkelstein

Costume Design: Hilla Shapira, Rebeccah Pailes-Friedman, Leila Ligougne, Sylvia Nolan, YMX by Yellow-man

Lighting Design: David Forni 

Technologist: Nicholas Vermeer, NYC Resistor 

Collaborating Choreographers: Thomas Baird, Aliesha Bryan, Elisabet Delgado, Michael “Big Mike” Fields, Meira Goldberg, Claudia Jeschke, Nakotah and ShanDien LaRance, Eva Bin Lu, Sira Melikian, Sydnie Mosley

Length: 130 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. New York’s only culturally inclusive production, The Brooklyn Nutcracker transforms familiar Nutcracker characters and scenes to represent the diverse traditions and vibrant culture of melting pot Brooklyn. From the landscape of the old Dutch Brooklyn to the iconic Flatbush Avenue, the production is fresh and full of virtuosity and celebrates the borough we call home.

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ABOUT BROOKLYN BALLET

Founded in 2002 by Artistic Director Lynn Parkerson, Brooklyn Ballet brings a contemporary vision to the treasured art form of ballet, with repertory and programs that revitalize and re-imagine the classical form. The first-of-its-kind in Brooklyn in more than 40 years, the organization is committed to artistic excellence, education and community engagement. In 2009, Brooklyn Ballet opened the doors to its first permanent home at The Schermerhorn—built and managed by Breaking Ground and The Actors Fund. The ground level space provides Brooklyn Ballet with a storefront dance studio, access to a 99-seat black box theatre, dressing rooms, and administrative space. As a community dance institution, Brooklyn Ballet School offers youth and adult ballet classes, allowing dancers to learn and develop their skills alongside professionals of all backgrounds. Brooklyn Ballet’s Elevate in-school residencies offers children scholarships and opportunities to participate in the rigors of ballet training. Brooklyn Ballet can be found on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @brooklynballet.

ABOUT THE KINGS THEATRE

The historic Kings Theatre reopened its doors in 2015 as Brooklyn’s premiere performing arts venue.  Providing a destination for large-scale popular entertainment and serving as a resource for local arts groups and community organizations, the City-owned Theatre is a cultural and economic cornerstone of the Flatbush community and a major fixture to Brooklyn’s vibrant cultural landscape. The Kings Theatre was originally designed by Rapp & Rapp in 1929 and was one of the five Loew’s ‘Wonder Theatres’ built in New York and New Jersey during that period. Featuring high curved ceilings, ornate plaster walls, wood paneling, and a glazed terra-cotta ornamental façade, the classic 20th-century movie palace was inspired by the French Renaissance Revival style of the Palace of Versailles and the Paris Opera House. The redevelopment project both revived the historic structure’s original splendor and transformed the Theatre into a state-of-the-art facility with over 3,000 seats—the largest of its kind in Brooklyn. The Theatre was selected as a recipient of the 2014 New York State Historic Preservation Award for excellence in preservation and revitalization and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012. Kings Theatre is operated by The Ambassador Theatre Group. Follow @kingstheatrebklyn on Facebook / @kingsbklyn on Twitter & Instagram for announcements and updates!

Brooklyn Ballet’s programs are made possible in part by The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in Partnership with the City Council, Council Member Alan Maisel, Council Member Stephen Levin, Council Member Mathieu Eugene, Council Member Robert E. Cornegy Jr., Council Member Laurie Cumbo, Sills Family Foundation, Adidas, New York State Council on the Arts, The Howard Gilman Foundation, Corcoran Cares, The Curtis W. McGraw Foundation, Mertz Gilmore Foundation, Breukelein Institute, Eichholz Foundation, The John N. Blackman Foundation, Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation, The Harkness Foundation for Dance, Con Edison, Alloy, Board Assist, iStar, Miami Foundation, Park Avenue Charitable Fund.