American Repertory Ballet’s Nutcracker season runs Saturday, November 22, through Sunday, December 21, at venues across New Jersey including McCarter Theater in Princeton, Patriots Theater at the War Memorial in Trenton, and State Theater in New Brunswick.
The holiday classic features Tchaikovsky’s score and a cast of more than 100 performers including professional dancers from American Repertory Ballet and select students from Princeton Ballet School. A holiday tradition since 1964, it is one of the longest-running Nutcracker productions in New Jersey and one of the longest consecutively running shows in the United States. The performances at the State Theater will feature a live orchestra, conducted by Michael Pratt, and the Princeton GirlChoir.
Plainsboro dancers include Cate Bashore, a fifth grade student at Millstone River, and Frances Brown, a fourth grade student at Millstone, who both portray party children. Sophia Walker and Ema Niculescu-Mizil, both third grade students at Wicoff School, portray angels. They are dance students at Princeton Ballet School.
The annual “Nutcracker Sweets” party will be held on Friday, November 28, at 3:15 p.m., between the 1 and 4:30 p.m. performances at McCarter Theater. The family-friendly event features homemade treats including tea, coffee, and hot cocoa served in china teacups; story time; and free photos with costumed characters. Tickets for “Nutcracker Sweets” are sold separately from performance tickets, but are also available through the McCarter box office.
As it has for several years, Terra Momo restaurant group is once again partnering with ARB’s Nutcracker season. They will offer ARB’s Nutcracker ticket holders 20 percent off a meal at Eno Terra in Kingston, Mediterra in Princeton, or Teresa Caffe in Princeton. On Saturday, November 22, between 1 and 3 p.m., costumed characters will be greeting guests at Mediterra restaurant.
The Nutcracker, American Repertory Ballet, Union Performing Arts Center, 1601 Irving Street, Rahway. Saturday, November 22, 2 p.m. 732-499-8226. www.arballet.org.
The Nutcracker, American Repertory Ballet, McCarter Theater, 91 University Place, Princeton. Wednesday, November 26, 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, November 28 and 29, 1 and 4:30 p.m. 609-258-2787. www.mccarter.org.
The Nutcracker, American Repertory Ballet, Patriots Theater, War Memorial, Trenton. Saturday, December 6, 1 and 4:30 p.m. $35 to $45. 609-948-8400. www.arballet.org.
The Nutcracker, American Repertory Ballet, Algonquin Arts Theater, 60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan. Saturday, December 13, 1 and 4:30 p.m.; and Sunday, December 14, 3 p.m. 732-528-9211. www.arballet.org.
The Nutcracker, American Repertory Ballet, State Theater, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick. Friday, December 19, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, December 20 and 21, 1 and 4:30 p.m. Performance with live orchestra of Tchaikovsky’s score conducted by Michael Pratt, and the Princeton GirlChoir. 732-246-7469. www.arballet.org.
