American Repertory Ballet Coming to Princeton Public Library

American Repertory Ballet's 2014 Nutcracker Season will kick-off on Saturday, November 22 with events and performances across New Jersey. The first Nutcracker performance of the season will be on Saturday, November 22 at 2:00pm at Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway. Meanwhile, ARB will be hosting a Nutcracker story-time at 2:00pm at the Princeton Public Library.

ARB's Nutcracker is a holiday classic featuring Tchaikovsky's score and a cast of over 100 performers, featuring the professional, international dancers of American Repertory Ballet and select students from Princeton Ballet School, the official school of ARB. A holiday tradition since 1964, ARB's is the longest-running Nutcracker production in New Jersey and one of the longest consecutively-running in the United States.

American Repertory Ballet's Nutcracker tells the story of a young girl named Clara and how her mysterious gift of a nutcracker doll brings about enchanted dreams and fantastical scenes. The dancers bring to life the production's original party scene, choreographed by company founder Audrée Estey, before entering a snow forest and Land of Sweets, featuring choreography by ARB Artistic Director Douglas Martin. Spectacular sets by Carl Sprague, including a spectacular growing Christmas tree, and costumes by Gina Ricca create the atmosphere of dreamlike magic.

Tickets for the 2014 Nutcracker season opener on November 22 at 2:00pm at Union County Performing Arts Center run from $20 to $35.

Further down into Central Jersey, at the Princeton Public Library, American Repertory Ballet will host a special story-time reading of the classic Nutcracker tale - suitable for all ages. This event is free and open to the public.

The rest of American Repertory Ballet's Nutcracker Season runs through December 21 at McCarter Theatre in Princeton, Patriots Theater at the War Memorial in Trenton, Algonquin Arts Theatre in Manasquan, and State Theatre in New Brunswick.