Ben Stevens News

As the Black Friday sales died down, the Houston Ballet's live orchestra began to stir. With a quick hush, the murmuring audience gave into their anticipation of dancing sugar plum fairies. As the lights, hung with care, illuminated the dexterous dancers, Houston audiences responded with glee. After all, they had bought almost every ticket to see this annual, festive holiday jubilee. There is no doubt, Ben Stevenson's highly lauded and much beloved production of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky's THE NUTCRACKER is still guaranteed to dazzle and enthrall audiences young and old.

From November 23 - December 30, 2012, Houston Ballet celebrates the 25th anniversary of Ben Stevenson's breathtaking production of The Nutcracker, seen by over 1,000,000 people since its premiere 25 years ago.

From November 23 - December 30, 2012, Houston Ballet celebrates the 25th anniversary of Ben Stevenson's breathtaking production of The Nutcracker, seen by over 1,000,000 people since its premiere 25 years ago. The beloved ballet tells the story of a little girl named Clara who is given a magical nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve. She encounters the frightful King Rat before embarking on a wondrous journey through the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets. Young and old alike will experience the many special effects, including the Christmas tree which "grows" to 40 feet, 200 pounds of "snow" falling during the snow scene, and the firing of cannon onstage.

Luna Negra Dance Theater continues its family-oriented winter series, Luna Niños, this season with the second dance "episode" of the adventures of Moniquilla and friends, this year titled "Moniquilla and the Moon Monster," presented in three performances only at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street, Friday, November 30 at 7 pm and Saturday-Sunday, December 1-2 at 3 pm.

Luna Negra Dance Theater continues its family-oriented winter series, Luna Niños, this season with the second dance "episode" of the adventures of Moniquilla and friends, this year titled "Moniquilla and the Moon Monster," presented in three performances only at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street, Friday, November 30 at 7 pm and Saturday-Sunday, December 1-2 at 3 pm.

From November 23 - December 30, 2012, Houston Ballet celebrates the 25th anniversary of Ben Stevenson's breathtaking production of The Nutcracker, seen by over 1,000,000 people since its premiere 25 years ago.

Texas Ballet Theater (TBT) celebrates its upcoming 52nd season and the 10th anniversary season of Artistic Director Ben Stevenson O.B.E. by announcing the 2012-2013 Season - 'Two Great Cities, One Great Company!'

PAOLA HARTLEY and ASTRIT ZEJNATI, principal dancers of Ballet Arizona, will appear as guest artists in the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet's production of The Nutcracker which will be performed on December 1 (Evening), and December 2 (Matinee), 2012 at the Riverview Theatre in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Columbus Symphony Associate Conductor Peter Stafford Wilson has been appointed Principal Conductor with the Tulsa Ballet for the 2012-13 season. He will be leading the organization's productions of Ben Stevenson's Dracula and Val Caniparoli's Lady of the Camellias, as well as holiday performances of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker.

Ballet West has been awarded a Fellowship Initiative grant from the New York Choreographic Institute, an affiliate of New York City Ballet, to support the development of new choreography in a studio setting. The choreographer will be Christopher Ruud.

SARA WEBB and IAN CASADY will appear as guest artists in the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet's performances of The Nutcracker on December 3 and 4, 2011 at the Riverview Theatre in Shreveport, Louisiana.

SOFIA MENTEGUIAGA, soloist of the Tulsa Ballet, and ALFONSO MARTIN, principal dancer of the Tulsa Ballet, will appear as guest artists in the Fountain Dance Ministry's production of The Nutcracker on December 3 and 4, 2011 at the Jane Tasch Performing Arts Theatre in Pinckney, Michigan.

Dance Theatre of Tennessee (DTT) brings to life one of best-loved classical ballets of all time - Swan Lake Act 2. DTT will present this timeless classic as part of its 2011-12 opening season series entitled At 75 - A Tribute to Elaine Thomas, DTT's assistant artistic director on Friday, September 30 and Saturday, October 1 at 8 p.m. at Harpeth Hall Auditorium.

Stoneham Theatre presents Sisters of Swing: the Story of the Andrews Sisters. Performances run June 30-July 24: Thurs. (7:30 pm), Fri. (8 pm), Sat. (4 pm & 8 pm), Sun. (2 pm).

Stoneham Theatre presents Sisters of Swing: the Story of the Andrews Sisters. Performances run June 30-July 24: Thurs. (7:30 pm), Fri. (8 pm), Sat. (4 pm & 8 pm), Sun. (2 pm).

Stoneham Theatre presents Sisters of Swing: the Story of the Andrews Sisters. Performances run June 30-July 24: Thurs. (7:30 pm), Fri. (8 pm), Sat. (4 pm & 8 pm), Sun. (2 pm).

Cemeteries and marching bands, skeleton krewes and carnivals both glittering and raucous. Even prior to Hurricane Katrina, few cities understood the fine line between revelry and requiem better than New Orleans. In April, celebrated choreographer Trey McIntyre - arguably among the most acclaimed of his generation - will return to St. Louis with MA MAISON, a rousing homage to the spirit, vibrancy and resiliency of The City that Care Forgot.

Cemeteries and marching bands, skeleton krewes and carnivals both glittering and raucous. Even prior to Hurricane Katrina, few cities understood the fine line between revelry and requiem better than New Orleans. In April, celebrated choreographer Trey McIntyre - arguably among the most acclaimed of his generation - will return to St. Louis with MA MAISON, a rousing homage to the spirit, vibrancy and resiliency of The City that Care Forgot.

In the company's only East Coast engagement in 2010, Trey McIntyre Project will perform at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival August 4-8.