NASHVILLE'S NUTCRACKER Debuts 2016 Run at TPAC 12/3

Nashville's Nutcracker, Nashville Ballet's longstanding holiday tradition returns to Tennessee Performing Arts Center's Andrew Jackson Hall, running December 3-23 for the ninth consecutive year, featuring the Nashville Symphony and weaving together the vibrant history of the city with one of ballet's most beloved and timeless tales.

Young Clara's enchanted journey begins at the 1897 Centennial Exposition in Nashville. Along with her Uncle Drosselmeyer, she meets a fascinating cast of characters from faraway lands. When she receives a magical wooden Nutcracker from Drosselmeyer for Christmas, the toy comes to life to lead her through a whimsical holiday dream - complete with the very characters she met at the Exposition. When the curtain closes on Clara asleep on the sofa after her adventure, the audience is left to decide if it was real or just a dream.

"Nashville's Nutcracker was designed to be seen over and over again because you find little details in it each time that make it exciting and fresh," says choreographer Paul Vasterling, Nashville Ballet artistic director and CEO. "The story itself is magical as it is, but the addition of Nashville's iconic characters and landmarks into the production guarantee that you'll discover something new every year."

Vasterling's original concept and choreography is complemented by an entirely locally mounted production, including the dancers, production crew, costumers and musicians. Along with 47 members of Nashville Ballet's professional Dance Company and Second Company, Nashville's Nutcracker will include a youth cast of 251 young dancers from School of Nashville Ballet and the community at large-the largest youth cast in the company's history.

"Nashville's Nutcracker simply wouldn't be complete without the youth cast," Vasterling said. "They bring a new, vibrant energy to each performance that's contagious for both the performers and audience members. Giving the youth in our community an opportunity to perform in this holiday tradition adds to the magic of the season for them-and for us."

Nashville's Nutcracker is presented by Benefits, Inc. Tickets start at $28 and can be purchased in person at the TPAC box office in downtown Nashville, by phone at (615) 782-4040 or online at www.nashvilleballet.com. Further details, including a complete performance schedule is available online.

photo by Heather Thorne