Nashville Ballet's NUTCRACKER Returns for 7th Year Running Tonight

Nashville Ballet returns with one of Nashville's favorite annual holiday traditions, Nashville's Nutcracker, tonight, Dec. 6 for the seventh year in a row, presented by The Mall at Green Hills and Gateway Tire and Service Centers.

Due to popular demand, two matinee performances have been added at 2 p.m. on December 22 and December 23. From December 6-23, 2014, the Nashville-themed holiday classic will be in residence at TPAC's Jackson Hall for a total of 12 performances, featuring well-known Nashville characters and landmarks. Tickets to Nashville's Nutcracker are on sale now starting at $28 and can be purchased at www.NashvilleBallet.com or by calling (615) 782-4040.

Nashville's Nutcracker first debuted in 2008, with new choreography and an original concept from Nashville Ballet's Artistic Director & CEO Paul Vasterling, celebrating Nashville's rich history and personality. The production features characters inspired by well-known residents including President Andrew Jackson, former Vanderbilt University Chancellor James Kirkland and the actress Lucille La Verne, a Nashville native who provided the voice of the witch in Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

"Nashville's Nutcracker is the perfect opportunity to incorporate Nashville's rich history into the joy and wonder of the holidays," Vasterling said. "After seven seasons presenting Nashville's Nutcracker to the community, the magical and festive production has become a local favorite. Including Nashville's strong history in the story only makes it more special."

The tale begins at the 1897 Centennial Exposition in Nashville, taking the audience on a fantastic adventure through a series of magical worlds to encounter the Snow Queen and King, the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier, and many more enchanted characters.

Along with 44 members of the professional dance company and second company, the production will also include a youth cast of more than 160 young dancers from School of Nashville Ballet and the community at large performing with the Nashville Symphony.

"Each year, we welcome Nashville youth to join our production of Nashville's Nutcracker and it's a thrill to see so many aspiring young dancers excited about the art of dance," Nashville Ballet Director of Artistic Operations Sharyn Mahoney said. "It's become a tradition for many of these children to participate in our production, and we're honored that they include us in their holiday festivities. It's a perfect opportunity for all of Nashville to celebrate the magic of the holiday season together."

A complete performance schedule and more information can be found at www.NashvilleBallet.com/nashvillesnutcracker.

About Nashville Ballet - Nashville Ballet is the largest professional ballet company in Tennessee. Nashville Ballet presents a varied repertoire of classical ballet and contemporary works by noted choreographers, including original works by Artistic Director & CEO Paul Vasterling. Nashville Ballet and the second company NB2 (a pre-professional training company) serve nearly 60,000 adults and children annually through performances and our outreach and community engagement programming. Curriculum-based outreach programs bring dance education to community centers, colleges, public libraries and public elementary, middle and high schools across the state. School of Nashville Ballet provides world-class instruction in ballet and other forms of dance for dancers of all ages.

Photo Credit: Karyn Kipley Photography