BROOKLYN BALLET ANNOUNCES EXTENDED RUN AND NEW THEATER FOR NEW YORK’S ONLY CULTURALLY INCLUSIVE PRODUCTION OF THE NUTCRACKER

 “The Brooklyn Nutcracker” Transforms a Holiday Classic into a Fresh, Culturally Immersive Spectacle for the Modern Era

NEW YORK, September 25, 2024 — Brooklyn Ballet, a unique and interdisciplinary dance company that confronts convention and defies expectation, returns 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.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

The Brooklyn Nutcracker will run for six performances, December 12-15:

Thursday, December 12 at 7:00pm

Friday, December 13 at 7:00pm

Saturday, December 14 at 2:00pm and 7:00pm

Sunday, December 15 at 2:00pm and 7:00pm

There will be community performances held for public schools and senior centers December 12, 13 and 16.

TICKETS and VENUE INFORMATION

Prices start at $35 and are available exclusively by FEVER at  https://www.brooklynballet.org/events-and-tickets/brooklyn-nutcracker

The Theater at City Tech is located at 275 Jay St, in Downtown Brooklyn. The theater is accessible by subway: 2, 3, 4, 5, A, C, F, and R.

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 Fields, Meira Goldberg, Claudia Jeschke, Nakotah and ShanDien LaRance, Eva Bing Lu, Sira Melikian, Sydnie Mosley

Length: 130 minutes

A re-imagined holiday classic, The Brooklyn Nutcracker fuses ballet, hip-hop and a rich mosaic of global dance genres to create a new family tradition for the modern era. Culturally immersive, The Brooklyn Nutcracker transforms familiar Nutcracker characters and scenes to represent the heart of Brooklyn's cultural mosaic. From a mysterious pop and locking Uncle Drosselmeyer and a daring hip hop battle scene, to a bohemian Mother Ginger, the characters embark on an enchanting journey from Victorian Flatbush to modern day - with exciting detours through notable Brooklyn landmarks, including a visit to the Brooklyn Botanical Garden and a Flatbush Avenue subway platform.

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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 Entertainment Community Fund. The ground level space provides Brooklyn Ballet with a storefront dance studio, access to a 99-seat black box theater, 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.