American Repertory Ballet presents its annual Nutcracker at McCarter Theater on Thanksgiving weekend — Friday to Sunday, November 23 to 25. There are many dancers from West Windsor and Plainsboro involved in the production, a holiday tradition since 1964, when the company presented its first Nutcracker, choreographed by founder and then director, Audree Estey. ARB’s current version of Nutcracker features party and battle scene choreography from the original production, as well as newer choreography by current artistic director Douglas Martin and resident choreographer Mary Barton.
Before this year’s opening night performance, dancers from American Repertory Ballet and students from Princeton Ballet School will be appearing at several events around town in costume to share more information about the performances. Look for them outside Mediterra Restaurant on Friday, November 16, from 4 to 6 p.m., and at Princeton’s Palmer Square tree lighting on Friday, November 23 at 3:30 p.m.
Students from Princeton Ballet School’s ARB Workshop program (the performance wing of the school’s advanced levels), who will perform advanced student roles in ARB’s Nutcracker follow:
Dancers from Plainsboro include Marian Farrell, Emmanuelle Farrell, Kaila Jones, and Utku Ozdemir. Dancers from West Windsor include Victoria Mak and Connor Kraft.
Students performing children’s roles from Plainsboro include Cate Bashore and Camille Redmond. West Windsor dancers include Giuliana Simmens, Aneeqah Kamani-Ahmed, Clara Nevers, Julia Weiss, Nora Weiss, Alexa Wentworth, Nicole Potenza, Erin Yeh, Emily Yeh, and Caroline Palmer.
Special Nutcracker events at McCarter Theater, coinciding with performances, include “Nutcracker Sweets Tea Parties” in McCarter’s Lockwood lobby on Friday and Saturday, November 23 and 24. The event includes treats, tea, hot cocoa, and photos with costumed dancers. Contact Naomi Levecchia at 732-249-1254, ext. 25 or E-mail nlevecchia@arballet.org.
The eighth annual Nutcracker alumni gathering is on Friday, November 23 in McCarter’s West Lobby, at approximately 6:30 p.m. People who ever took part in American Repertory Ballet’s Nutcracker, were students of Princeton Ballet School, or dancers with the company are invited. Admission is free but donations are accepted. For reservations, contact Lisa de Ravel at 609-921-7758, ext. 11.
The Nutcracker, McCarter Theater, 91 University Place, Princeton. Friday and Saturday, November 23 and 24, 1 and 4:30 p.m.; and Sunday, November 25, 1 p.m. Tchaikovsky’s score with a cast of more than 100 dancers including ARB’s professional dancers, ARB trainees, and Princeton Ballet School students. A newly designed and constructed snow forest scene set by Carl Sprague and restored scenes from the company’s first Nutcracker production are featured. Choreography by Douglas Martin and Mary Barton. $20 to $55.
The Nutcracker, State Theater, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick. Saturday and Sunday, December 22 and 23, 1 and 4:30 p.m. Tchaikovsky’s score with a cast of more than 100 dancers including ARB’s professional dancers, ARB trainees, and Princeton Ballet School students. A newly designed and constructed snow forest scene set by Carl Sprague and restored scenes from the company’s first Nutcracker production are featured. Choreography by Douglas Martin and Mary Barton. Performance features a live orchestra under the director of Michael Pratt and an appearance by the Princeton GirlChoir. $32 to $57. 732-246-7469. www.StateTheatreNJ.org.
