Brooklynites don’t have to cross the bridge to see that traditional holiday favorite “The Nutcracker” anymore. The American Ballet Theatre (ABT) is bringing their magical rendition to Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) from December 22nd through January 2. This ABT world premiere of the story of Clara and her dreamlike journey has everyone excited and snatching up tickets. When I informally polled people on Facebook and Twitter about what holiday show they were most excited about seeing, it was “the Nutcracker at BAM.”
The all-new production will feature 100 performers on stage with a live orchestra, sets and costumes by Richard Hudson (Tony-winner for The Lion King) and choreography by Alexei Ratmansky who was named ABT’s first Artist in Residence last year. He was the former artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet and under his direction the ballet earned “Best Foreign Company” for two years. You can expect that the dancing will be exquisite. The lighting is by Jennifer Tipton whose work includes the operatic production of Hansel und Gretel (which was incredible at the Met), besides a few Drama Desk and Tony Awards thrown in there. The production should be outstanding and hopefully a long-standing collaboration between ABT and BAM for many years to come.
For a preview of the production with behind-the-scenes video, see ABT’s e-storybook for The Nutcracker here. You can see how fabulous the sets are, especially the scenery for the Land of the Sweets, Clara’s house with the wonderous oversized christmas tree and toys and finally, the winter wonderland.
The performance is recommended for ages 4 and older.
Details:
American Ballet Theatre’s Nutcracker at BAM
December 22 through January 2
For tickets, call 718.636.4100, visit ABT.org or BAM.org or the Box Office at BAM Howard Gilman Opera House, 30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn.