Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre's THE NUTCRACKER Dances into Boston This Winter

As part of the Company's 30th Anniversary Season, José Mateo Ballet Theatre presents its treasured production of THE NUTCRACKER at two of Boston's finest theatres. After 15 years the Company makes its triumphant return to The Cutler Majestic Theatre (Nov.27-December 6) and for the fifth consecutive season returns to The Strand Theatre in Dorchester (Dec.11-20) with a new extended run.

Both theaters provide the perfect venue for a refreshed version of Mateo's 28th annual production of the holiday classic featuring wondrous NEW sets and costumes. New theatre. New sets. New costumes. Same warmth and tradition of Mateo's timeless classic!

Once home to Mateo's Nutcracker for almost a decade in the 90's, the long-awaited return to the Cutler Majestic is an important milestone in the organization's history.

In celebration of the return to The Cutler Majestic and the added performances at The Strand, this year's Nutcracker production will feature new elements including new sets and costumes by noted scenic designer Laura C. McPherson.

Choreographed by Artistic Director José Mateo, and inspired by Tchaikovsky's glorious score, Mateo's 'Nutcracker' brings Clara's dream world to life with festive sets, sumptuous costumes, and spectacular dancing. Over 200 children, ages 6-18 from throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire , join Ballet Theatre's skilled company dancers as Party Children, Mice, Soldiers, Polichinelles, Cherubs, and Angels. It is the only professional Nutcracker production in the area to hold open auditions for students outside of its own school. The role of Clara is danced this season by four young dancers rotating the role in all venues: Amy Chan (15) from Cambridge , Safiyya O'Connor (14) from Cambridge , Samin Charepoo (16) from Quincy, and Cecelia Zevallos (16) from Somerville.

IF YOU GO:

THE NUTCRACKER

Tickets for both theaters: $75, $52, $40, $20

The Cutler Majestic Theatre, 219 Tremont St. , Boston

Go to cutlermajestic.org/Online or call (617) 824-8000

· Friday, November 27 at 7:30 pm

· Saturday, November 28 at 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm

· Sunday, November 29 at 1:00 pm & 5:00 pm

· Friday, December 4 at 7:30 pm

· Saturday, December 5 at 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm

· Sunday, December 6 at 1:00 pm & 5:00 pm

The Strand Theatre, 543 Columbia Road , Dorchester

www.ballettheatre.org/product/the-nutcracker-at-strand-theatre or call (617) 354-7467

· Friday, December 11 at 7:00 pm

· Saturday, December 12 at 2:00 pm & 6:00 pm

· Sunday, December 13 at 2:00 pm & 5:30 pm

· Friday, December 18 at 7:00 pm

· Saturday, December 19 at 2:00 pm & 6:00 pm

· Sunday, December 20 at 2:00 pm & 5:30 pm

JMBT's NEW Dorchester Studio: In Dorchester Beyond The Nutcracker

In addition to the Company's remarkable season of performances and events, the 30th Anniversary also marks the expansion of JMBT's renowned School from its studios in Cambridge . In keeping with its long-term vision to provide dance opportunities to all in the Boston area, this fall the Young Dancers Program launched the Dorchester Studio at the St. Mary's Episcopal Church at 14 Cushing Ave with classes for children ages 3-9. The Dorchester Studio will grow in future years to offer classes for students of all ages. Classes are open to boys and girls of all backgrounds. No dance experience necessary. www.ballettheatre.org/young-dancers-program-dorchester

Founded in 1986, José Mateo Ballet Theatre is one of America 's leading producers of new ballets, the area's most innovative ballet school, and the creator of Dance for World Community™, an initiative that builds community by expanding the role of dance in our culture. Over the past 30 years Cuban-born Founder/Artistic Director José Mateo has developed his unique vision to create a new model for an inclusive and socially responsible ballet organization that engages today's diverse audiences.

THE COMPANY, praised by local and national critics and hailed by Boston Magazine as "Best of Boston Dance Performance", regularly presents Mateo's highly acclaimed concerts at its Sanctuary Theatre in its home at Old Cambridge Baptist Church in Harvard Square . Its presentation of Mateo's treasured version of The Nutcracker at The Cutler Majestic Theatre in Boston 's Theatre District and The Strand Theatre in Dorchester offers an intimate, dance-focused, and affordable holiday experience.

THE SCHOOL offers an innovative model for a high-quality academy with a humanistic approach to ballet training that fosters diversity and inclusion at both its Cambridge campus and new Dorchester Studio. The Young Dancers Program provides expert training for students ages 3-18 and the Open Class Program for Adults offers Introduction to Ballet courses and daily drop-in classes for all levels.

DANCE FOR WORLD ™ makes dance accessible to thousands of children, families, and new audiences through several year-round outreach programs and its annual Dance for World Community Festival in June, a three-day indoor/outdoor festival in Harvard Square.

Photo Credit: Gary Sloan