Urban Nutcracker, Holiday Classic with Inner City Edge from BalletRox
Back Bay Events Center - John Hancock Hall, Corner of Berkeley & Stuart Streets (180 Berkeley Street Boston, MA 02116)
- Full Price:
- $35.00 - $55.00
- Our Price:
- $17.50 - $27.50*
* Additional fees apply.
All offers for Urban Nutcracker have expired.
The last date listed for Urban Nutcracker was Saturday December 19, 2009 / 7:30pm.
Most Popular Performing Arts Event Nearby:
Cirque Shanghai Returns to Navy Pier With Dragon's Thunder
- Full Price:
- $31.25
- Our Price:
- $16.50
With the largest cast ever to visit the United States, Cirque Shanghai returns in triumph to Chicago with Cirque Shanghai: Dragon's Thunder, its latest and most dazzling show. Watch some of the finest acrobats in the world leap, tumble and juggle with a flexibility and precision that borders on the unbelievable. The outright daring of acts like "The Chinese Flex Bar" and "Gravity Swings" will take your breath away, while the thunderous beat of the "Dragon Drums" will stir your soul. Back from last year's show are fan-favorite features like the "Wheel of Destiny" as well as Imperial Thunder, China's finest daredevil motorcycle troupe. Be amazed, amused and ultimately enchanted by human skill pushed to the limits and beyond in Cirque Shanghai: Dragon's Thunder. Learn More
Goldstar Member Tips
Dress fancier than casual. It adds to the experience.info • Feb 23 2013 star this tip starred
Eat early, but make sure you have a beverage while you watchinfo • Feb 23 2013 star this tip starred
They sold inexpensive snacks during intermission, all proceeds went toinfo • Feb 23 2013 star this tip starred
They sold inexpensive snacks during intermission, all proceeds went to BalletRoxinfo • Feb 23 2013 star this tip starred
Reviews & Ratings
Featured review from Goldstar Member
view more less of this reviewDon't go! This was more like an elementary school performance than the cool infusion dance that it was advertised to be. I left at intermission because I couldn't sit through another minute of this second rate performance.
star this review starred report as inappropriateIt was not as avante guarde as I expected. The show was mostly ballet . I would have liked to have seen them push the envelope a bit more with more hip hop and tap etc and more contemporary music. The costumes were great, they just need to be more out of the box, it has potential to be fantastic.
star this review starred report as inappropriateIt had a bit of a recital feel to it and seemed kind of disjointed. It was definitely cute, but I don't think I'll go again.
star this review starred report as inappropriateI enjoyed this event. I have seen the traditional Nutcracker several times before so it was cool to see and hear a new version. It would have been nice if they incorporated even more alternative dance forms, like more hip hop, jazz, tap etc. I loved the jazzy versions of the music.
More Information About Urban Nutcracker
Website
http://balletrox.org/urbannutcracker/
Description
Urban Nutcracker stretches beyond classical expectations by combining unexpected elements of dance and music. The dancers, whose multi-ethnic backgrounds add a richness and depth to this reinvention of the holiday classic, allow the audience to connect and bridge cultural barriers. The brilliant dream sequences with imaginative and colorful costuming and scenery will transport the audience beyond the reach of traditional interpretations. Urban Nutcracker will inspire a new following of dance and theatre enthusiasts!
Dancers include Khalid Hill, an original member of Bring in Da’ Noise, Bring in Da’ Funk who is returning to this year’s Urban Nutcracker after receiving his Master’s degree from NYU. Hill is joined by his wife Janille Hill who formerly lead the Step Team at Boston Latin School.
Gianni DiMarco, a former dancer for Boston Ballet, is thrilled to make his debut in the role of Drosselmeyer in a new and exciting characterization.
Each year in the Urban Nutcracker, the prologue is a dynamic mix of dance styles and music, including live drumming and doo wop singing. In this year’s production, highlights include the brilliant tapping of Khalid Hill.
This opening scene sets the stage for a Nutcracker like you never imagined!
To keep our annual event fresh and exciting, the Urban Nutcracker adds spectacular new ingredients to spice up the mix:
- New Russian Dance - “Caviar Caper” Boris Gershman, of the Premier Dance School of West Hartford, Connecticut, has created exciting new, authentic Russian choreography for this year.
- Traditional Chinese dance - “Ginseng Brisé” performed by the Angel Dance Troupe, students of Angel Performance Art, a Boston area based school focused on preserving and teaching Chinese culture, dance and art in America.
- Step dancers from the Boston Latin School Step Dance Team.
- Yo-el Cassell, Tony-Award winning dancer and choreographer, reprises his role for the ninth time as Drosselmeyer’s hilarious sidekick Mini-Meyer! Accomplished in dance, pantomime, and puppetry, Yo-el appeared as Pinocchio in the 2006 Broadway production of Julie Taymor’s version of Pinocchio, Geppetto and Son. As a multi-faceted performer, Yo-el will soon be starring in the re-make of a much loved children’s classic PBS television show. Stay tuned…
- The Urban Nutcracker cast has more kids than ever – more than 80, plus seasoned professionals and students! * Husband and wife team Janille Hill and Khalid Hill join our show. Janille brings her talents as a former Boston Latin School Step Team Leader, and Khalid his expertise as a tapper who danced in the original Bring in Da’ Noise, Bring in Da’ Funk.
- 2009 marks eight years of having members of the famous G-Clefs, an all-star line-up of Doo Wop veterans.
Mr. Williams began his early training with Lithuanian ballerina Tatiana Babuskina. Shortly following this, he received a scholarship from the Boston School of Ballet, training with E. Virginia Williams (founder of the Boston Ballet) and Sydney Leonard. He joined the Boston Ballet in 1964, and after dancing for only three years, worked his way up from Corps-de-Ballet to Principal Dancer. He then danced solo roles with the Joffrey Ballet and was a Principal Dancer with Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Gulbenkian Ballet of Portugal and the Norwegian National Ballet.
As founder and director of BalletRox, Mr. Williams demonstrates to Boston’s children that no matter who they are, how they look, or what their background, they can, through hard work and dedication someday see in themselves – as Mr. Williams has seen in himself – a professional dancer, entrepreneur, teacher, civic leader, and role model.
About the Ticket Supplier: BalletRox
The mission of BalletRox is to use the power of dance to break down racial barriers and enrich the community's artistic experience through the creation of a diverse dance company and school.