American Repertory Ballet Announces its 55th NUTCRACKER Season

This November and December, American Repertory Ballet (ARB) presents its annual production of the holiday classic, Nutcracker, at five venues throughout New Jersey. To kick off the 2018 Nutcracker season, ARB welcomes special guest New York City Ballet Soloist and Princeton Ballet School alum Unity Phelan in the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy for two performances at McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton on Friday, November 23 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Born in Princeton, Ms. Phelan began her dance training at the age of five at the Princeton Ballet School, where her teachers included Douglas Martin, Maria Youskevitch and Mary Barton. In December 2012, she became an apprentice with NYCB and joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet in November 2013. In February 2017, Ms. Phelan was promoted to soloist. She was featured on the cover the January 2016 issue of Dance Magazine as one of their "25 to Watch" selected artists. The New York Times chief dance critic Alastair Macaulay has called Unity Phelan, "the most elegantly and glamorously poetic of the younger generation now ascending to ballerina roles."

"We are delighted to have Unity Phelan join us this special Alumni performance of Nutcracker," says ARB Artistic Director Douglas Martin. "Unity, grew up in Princeton and received her dance training at the Princeton Ballet School before joining the New York City Ballet. We are thrilled to welcome her back and I know this will be a very memorable show for our school and Nutcracker audiences."

This holiday season, ARB will also welcome the Concordia Youth Chorale for performances at Two River Theater in Red Bank, December 14 through 16; and the Princeton Girlchoir with a live orchestra conducted by Maestro Michael Pratt at State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick, December 21 through December 23.

American Repertory Ballet brings the beloved classic Nutcracker to the stage with Tchaikovsky's magnificent score, stunning sets, thrilling choreography, and a cast of more than 100 performers. A holiday tradition for more than 50 years, ARB's is one of the longest continuously running Nutcracker productions in the nation. Directed by Artistic Director Douglas Martin, ARB's professional company will be joined by students from Princeton Ballet School to tell the story of a young girl named Clara and how a mysterious gift from her Uncle Drosselmeyer brings about enchanted dreams and fantastical scenes.

Following ARB's McCarter Theatre Center performances over Thanksgiving Weekend, November 23 through November 25, the company will perform at Union County Performing Arts Center on Friday, November 30 with a Sensory Friendly performance on Sunday, December 2, presented by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

On December 7 and 8, ARB travels to South Orange Performing Arts Center for three performances, and then they will bring the joy of this holiday classic to Two River Theater in Red Bank, December 14 through 16, with the Concordia Youth Chorale.

State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick will be the only American Repertory Ballet performances to feature a live orchestra and the Princeton Girlchoir, December 21 through December 23.

"ARB's Nutcracker is a timeless family tradition and a wonderful way to celebrate the magic of the holiday season," says Executive Director Julie Diana Hench. "It's a great way to introduce people of all ages to professional ballet, and a treat for our dancers, as they know that it brings such joy to audiences year after year."