New Surprises in Store for 2011 Edition of Vasterling's NASHVILLE NUTCRACKER

Nashville's Nutcracker - one of the city's newest, yet most respected, holiday traditions - returns to Andrew Jackson Hall in the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, running December 9-18, with additional performances and new surprises to accompany its beloved characters and story.

"So many Nashvillians make Nashville's Nutcracker part of their annual holiday tradition, so we incorporate original elements every year to offer audiences something new," says Paul Vasterling, Nashville Ballet artistic director and CEO.

In this year's version of Vasterling's unique take on the venerable holiday ballet, he introduces new magic tricks from the beloved Uncle Drosselmeyer character this year, designed by nationally regarded illusionist Drew Thomas. Thomas brings his wealth of experience (he creates magic for Universal Studios and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines), to add to Drosselmeyer's bag of tricks, delivering fresh elements to existing tricks and introducing new magic to the recently redesigned holiday classic.

Vasterling's updated version debuted with original concept and choreography as Nashville's Nutcracker in 2008. The production celebrates Nashville's rich history and personality, complete with characters inspired by well-known local residents, such as 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.

Along with 22 members of the professional company and 25 members of the second company, the performance will include 150 young dancers from the School of Nashville Ballet and the community at large. 

"Dancing in a version of the Nutcracker is the first professional performance experience for most dancers, so our goal is to extend that opportunity to as many aspiring dancers as possible," explains Sharyn Mahoney, director of artistic operations. "Even those who have been dancing for years remember the excitement of their first Nutcracker performance."

 Members of the youth cast come from 11 Middle Tennessee counties including Davidson, Sumner, Wilson, Rutherford, Bedford, Maury, Williamson, Dickson, Cheatham, Montgomery and Robertson, as well as several Kentucky counties.

 Two casts of young dancers will alternate performances to tell the story of young Clara's magical journey, which starts at the 1897 Centennial Exposition in Nashville where she meets an exotic cast of characters from far-away lands displaying their native wares. It is there that her magical Uncle Drosselmeyer promises her a very special gift-a wooden Nutcracker.

 After Clara receives her special gift, she falls asleep and the Nutcracker comes to life to guide her through a fantastic dream. They visit a series of magical worlds and encounter an array of diverse characters she previously saw at the Centennial Exposition, in addition to the Snow Queen and King and the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier.

 Nashville's Nutcracker will be performed in TPAC's Jackson Hall for 10 performances: Friday, December 9 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, December 10 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Sunday, December 11 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Friday, December 16 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, December 17 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and on Sunday, December 18 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Tickets for Nashville Ballet's 2011-2012 performance season are on sale at www.nashvilleballet.com. For ticket information, contact Heather Cramsie at (615) 297-2966 x23. Groups of 10 or more can receive a discount by calling (615) 297-2966 x10.

 

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