Tucson, AZ---Ballet Tucson in partnership with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra will present the timeless beauty of an age-old story, The Nutcracker, opening on December 19 at the Linda Ronstadt Music Hall. Written in 1892 by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, as an adaptation of Alexandre Dumas's 1844 short story, the two-act classical ballet is set on Christmas Eve at the foot of a Christmas Tree in a child's imagination featuring a Nutcracker doll. The Nutcracker itself is the retelling of E.T.A. Hoffman's 1816 The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. The Nutcracker has since been performed by many ballet companies throughout the world and is a true joy of the season for many.
This season marks the fourth year of Ballet Tucson’s partnership with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, a collaboration that celebrates the strength and spirit of the local arts community. Together, Tucson’s professional ballet company and symphony orchestra unite in a treasured tradition - to bring Tchaikovsky’s iconic score to life.
Each year, Ballet Tucson welcomes talented young dancers from The School of Ballet Tucson and across Southern Arizona to share the stage with their professional company dancers, a thrilling opportunity for these emerging artists. "For so many, the beloved ballet The Nutcracker, marks the beginning of a lifelong love of dance. As a child, I was filled with awe watching the beautiful dancers around me. I am proud to share that I performed in this very production growing up here in Tucson and I now have the pleasure of watching the children of my childhood friends perform this beautiful ballet. The Nutcracker was the first step in realizing my dream of becoming a professional ballerina and I now get to support the dreams of the next generation. Whether dancing onstage or watching from the audience, this ballet’s magic has inspired me for over three decades", said Margaret Mullin, Ballet Tucson's Artistic Director "
The Nutcracker - Photo Credit Carlos Chavez
The Nutcracker will be performed at the Linda Ronstadt Music Hall on Friday, Dec 19, 7pm, Saturday, Dec 20, 1pm and 6pm and Sunday, Dec 21, 1pm and 6pm. For tickets and additional information visit www.ballettucson.org. (Limited availability prime seating, VIP Experience, a post-performance meet and greet with the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier with photo opportunity, and a signed photo or pointe shoe from the Sugar Plum Fairy.)
Photos and assets are available upon request. All programming is subject to change.
ABOUT BALLET TUCSON
Ballet Tucson was established in 1986 by Mary Beth Cabana to create a world-class professional ballet company and school in Southern Arizona. In the spring of 2022, Margaret Mullin, a Tucson native, was named Artistic Director alongside Chieko Imada, Ballet Tucson’s Associate Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer.
Ballet Tucson provides local and international artistry of the highest caliber presenting five professional performances annually which include beloved classics like The Nutcracker in partnership with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra and innovative works by acclaimed choreographers like Justin Peck, George Balanchine and Christopher Wheeldon.
The School of Ballet Tucson provides the opportunity for students of all ages to receive the highest caliber of dance training from accomplished instructors while developing a deep love for the art form and a means for greater self-expression.
As Southern Arizona’s only professional ballet company, Ballet Tucson is committed to building community around the art of dance through outreach and education initiatives. This includes free pop-up performances, the Best Foot Forward program (dance education classes in Title 1 schools), the Ballet Banter lecture series and KidzTIX, which provides free performance tickets to students of Title 1 schools throughout Tucson. Ballet Tucson Studios are located at 200 S Tucson Blvd. For additional information on show and studio schedules and to purchase tickets visit https://ballettucson.org/ or call 520-903-1445.
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