NOV 24 - 25 | THE NUTCRACKER @ THEARC
FOR RELEASE: November 7, 2012
PRESS CONTACT: Susan Heffren, Public Relations and Publications Manager
High-Resolution Press Images: https://washingtonballet.box.
THE WASHINGTON BALLET PRESENTS DC’S ANNUAL HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
THE NUTCRACKER
NOVEMBER 30- DECEMBER 23 AT THE WARNER THEATRE
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Washington Ballet (TWB) celebrates the holiday season by bringing DC’s favorite The Nutcracker to Washington-area audiences November 30 through December 23 at the historic Warner Theatre. The production will preview at the THEARC Theater on November 24-25.
Septime Webre’s critically acclaimed The Nutcracker transports audiences back in time to historic Washington, DC in a one-of-a-kind production set in 1882 Georgetown and starring George Washington as the heroic Nutcracker, King George III as the villainous Rat King, Anacostia Indians, frontiersmen, and many other all-American delights. Set to the iconic music of Pytor Ilych Tchaikovsky, this vibrant ballet features scenic designs by Peter Horne, costume designs byJudanna Lynn and lighting design by Tony Tucci. The Washington Ballet’s The Nutcracker has been hailed by The Washington Post as, “SIMPLY GORGEOUS! The Washington Ballet dazzles with a capital Nutcracker.”
The Story
Christmas Eve, 1882 Georgetown, Clara and her family prepare for a holiday celebration. As the guests arrive, Clara’s mysterious godfather, Mr. Drosselmeyer, enters with his handsome young nephew, who greets Clara with a kiss on her hand. Drosselmeyer entertains the guests with a puppet show and dancing dolls and presents Clara with a special gift—a nutcracker. Jealous of his sister’s present, Fritz seizes the nutcracker and breaks it. As the party ends, Clara sadly places the nutcracker under the Christmas tree.
Later that night, after everyone has gone to bed, Clara tiptoes downstairs to retrieve her nutcracker. Suddenly, the room fills with scurrying mice. Eventually, Clara falls asleep and begins to dream. When the clock strikes midnight, Drosselmeyer’s magic begins. The Christmas tree grows and a battle ensues between a brigade of toy soldiers led by a life-sized nutcracker (George Washington) against the Rat King (King George III) and his menacing rats. As the Rat King nears victory, Clara distracts him, enabling the nutcracker to kill him. Suddenly, the nutcracker is turned into a handsome prince. He leads Clara through the
enchanted winter to a glorious springtime.
Clara and her Nutcracker Prince travel to springtime, where the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. They are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy, her Cavalier and attendants: butterflies, mushrooms and other woodland creatures. When the Prince tells them how Clara saved his life, the Sugar Plum Fairy summons her subjects to entertain them with wonderful dances—Spanish and Chinese dances, a duet for an Anacostian brave and maiden, brilliant red cardinals; an American frontiersman dances with frontier girls; Mother Barnum dances with her circus clowns; and the waltz of the Cherry Blossoms is led by the Dew Drop Fairy. The celebration comes to a spectacular climax when the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier perform a grand pas de deux.
Audience favorite, Maki Onuki, will return as the Sugar Plum Fairy in many casts. Ms. Onuki has been hailed by The Washington Post as “a petite dynamo with titanium technique — so light and quick — and a sparkling disposition”. Jonathan Jordan returns as Cavalier, and Emily Ellis and Jared Nelson will be featured as Snow Queen and King . According to The Washington Post, “Jared Nelson’s Snow King could melt hearts with his sweet attention to [the] Snow Queen.” Other audience favorite performances include: Brooklyn Mack as Frontiersman, Morgann Rose as Lead Cardinal, and Andile Ndlovu as John Paul Jones. The Nutcracker also features students from The Washington School of Ballet performing as clowns, mice, party children and more.
At each performance, theatre-goers will be able to purchase unique gifts from TWB’s renowned Sugar Plum Shoppe. Merchandise includes a large variety of specialty TWB and Nutcracker items and apparel.
TWB will also host the annual Nutcracker Tea Party at the Willard InterContinental Hotel onDecember 9. For more information on this event, please call TWB Manager of Special Events, Liz Sizer at 202.362.3606 x123
Tickets for the Warner Theatre The Nutcracker, priced from $34* to $99*, are now on sale and can be purchased at washingtonballet.org, 202.397.SEAT (7328) or the Warner Theatre Box Office. The Warner Theatre is located at 513 13th Street NW, Washington, DC. *Ticket prices include a $2 Warner Theatre preservation fee.
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The Nutcracker (2004)
Septime Webre’s critically acclaimed The Nutcracker transports us back in time to historic Washington, DC and stars George Washington as the heroic Nutcracker. Full of swirling snowflakes, magnificent sets and costumes and Tchaikovsky’s beloved score, the curtain rises and the stage bursts with waltzing cherry blossoms, dancing sugar plums and other enchanting adaptations that have made Webre’s Nutcracker a Washington tradition with raves from critics and sold-out crowds.
Thursday, November 29 at 7PM (Preview)
Friday, November 30 at 7PM (Opening)
Saturday, December 1 at 2PM & 7PM
Sunday, December 2 at 1PM
Wednesday, December 5 at 7PM
Thursday, December 6 at 7PM
Friday, December 7 at 7PM
Saturday, December 8 at 2PM & 7PM
Sunday, December 9 at 1PM & 5:30PM
Wednesday, December 12 at 7PM
Thursday, December 13 at 7PM
Friday, December 14 at 7PM
Saturday, December 15 at 2PM & 7PM
Sunday, December 16 at 1PM & 5:30PM
Tuesday, December 18 at 7PM
Wednesday, December 19 at 7PM
Thursday, December 20 at 7PM
Friday, December 21 at 2PM & 7PM
Saturday, December 22 at 2PM & 7PM
Sunday, December 23 at 1PM & 5:30PM
Music by Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky
Choreography by Septime Webre
Scenic Design by Peter Horne
Costume Design by Judanna Lynn
Lighting Design by Tony Tucci
Performed at the Warner Theatre
ABOUT THE WASHINGTON BALLET
Originally founded as The Washington School of Ballet in 1944 by legendary ballet pioneer Mary Day and incorporated as a professional company in 1976, The Washington Ballet (TWB) is one of the pre-eminent ballet organizations in the United States. TWB built an international reputation presenting bold works by choreographers from around the world, including Choo-San Goh, Christopher Wheeldon, Mark Morris, Twyla Tharp and Nacho Duato, as well as Neoclassical masterworks and fresh stagings of 19th century classics. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Septime Webre and Executive Director Peter M. Branch, TWB embraces a three-part mission: ensuring excellence in its professional performance company; growing the next generation of dancers through its Washington School of Ballet; and serving the community in which it resides through robust community engagement programs. For more information, visitwww.washingtonballet.org.
Amtrak is the official passenger rail service of The Washington Ballet.
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