Fit For Kings (And A Sugar Plum): Brooklyn Ballet's NUTCRACKER
Company:
Brooklyn Ballet
FIT FOR THE KINGS (AND A SUGAR PLUM), BROOKLYN BALLET’S NUTCRACKER COMES TO FLATBUSH
“The Brooklyn Nutcracker” Brings New Choreography to the Kings Theatre
for One-Night-Only this Holiday Season
NEW YORK, July 31, 2018 — Brooklyn Ballet, a unique and interdisciplinary dance company rooted in the classical idiom, presents an expanded, one-night-only performance of The Brooklyn Nutcracker, at the majestic Kings Theatre in Flatbush, Brooklyn, December 14, 2018. The critically acclaimed production fuses ballet, hip-hop and an array of world dance genres to create a new tradition for today’s audience. A re-imagined holiday classic, The Brooklyn Nutcracker transforms familiar Nutcracker characters and scenes to represent the diverse traditions and vibrant multicultural history of Brooklyn.
With a strong commitment to honoring the borough’s cultural traditions, the company premieres Spanish Hot Chocolate performed by first place winner of Flamenco Certamen 2016, Aliesha Bryan, and Margaret Yuen’s Red Silk Dancers in Chinese Tea. Fit for the Kings Theatre’s stately space, the production’s first act party scene is expanded with a cast of multi-national dancers merging together both hip hop and baroque movement in dances inspired by the 18th century French court.
Unique to The Brooklyn Nutcracker are collaborations with tech-based artists and designers providing audiences with a multi-sensory experience, exploring ground-breaking technology of light and motion-responsive costumes. Within moments, the digital set and backdrop transports the plot from historical old Dutch Brooklyn to the iconic Flatbush Avenue—in an homage to Kings County.
“The Brooklyn Nutcracker was born in 2010 on a Brooklyn street corner, a dance collaboration between a petite ballerina and a large hip-hop dancer. Passersby were mesmerized so I knew we were on to something,” explains artistic director Lynn Parkerson. “Past years’ sold-out seasons confirmed that Brooklynites love seeing a holiday classic, dedicated to the people and places they call home.”
For Nutcracker traditionalists, a Victorian-style holiday party for Clara and friends, Snow Scene, Waltz of the Flowers, and Grande Pas remain true to Petipa’s and Ivanov’s vision. In the re-imagined scenes, choreographer and Brooklyn Ballet artistic director Lynn Parkerson, inject an unmistakable and symbolic Brooklyn culture. Clara’s mysterious uncle Drosselmeyer is portrayed by hip-hop pop and locker Michael “Big Mike” Fields, and each snowflake is donned in LED wired tutus that illuminate with the sweep of Tchaikovsky’s rich score. Native American performer Nakotah LaRance, a 6-time World Hoop Dance Champion, returns with his sensational mix of traditional hoop and hip-hop dance to open the second act. With a cast of over 50 dancers, audiences will enjoy divertissements from Sira Melikian, an authentic Middle Eastern belly dancer, African-based modern dancers, Brooklyn’s top pop and lock, gliding and flex’n dancers, as well as Brooklyn Ballet School’s own students.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
The Brooklyn Nutcracker takes place on Friday, December 14 at 7:00 p.m.
An additional student performance for public schools is Friday, December 14 at 11:30 a.m.
TICKETS and VENUE INFORMATION
Tickets are on sale. Prices start at $25.
Tickets available for purchase at http://bit.ly/BKNutcracker2018
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: Rebeccah Pailes-Friedman, Leila Ligougne, Sylvia Nolan, YMX by Yellowman
Technologist: Nicholas Vermeer, NYC Resistor
Lighting Design: David Forni
Collaborating Choreographers: Thomas Baird, Aliesha Bryan, Michael “Big Mike” Fields, Miera Goldberg, Claudia Jeschke, Nakotah LaRance, Sira Melikian, Sydnie Mosley, Margaret Yuen
Length: 110 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. The Brooklyn Nutcracker transforms familiar Nutcracker characters and scenes to represent the diverse traditions and vibrant culture of melting pot Brooklyn. Starting from the point of view of old Dutch Brooklyn and leading to the iconic Flatbush Avenue, the production is fresh and full of virtuosity—in essence, a moving Christmas card to the borough Brooklyn Ballet calls home.
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