Give your family a memorable gift and take them to this year's Nutcracker. Splendid costumes and scenery will transport you, along with Clara and the Prince, to where colorful characters and dance await. Truly a unique story line, as three choreographers lend their style to the season's family favorite.
ACT I, SCENE I: CHRISTMAS EVE AT THE STAHLBAUM HOUSE, Choreographed by Janet Parke.
Janet has served as both Ballet Memphis School principal and Junior
Company director for more than 20 years. She has taught all levels of
ballet and has choreographed more than 75 ballets for Ballet Memphis
including Starlight, Coppella and Midsummer Night's Dream. Janet's
staging of the Christmas Eve party scene is one of dancing and
celebration, gift-giving and anticipation, and one of the most
recognizable scenes of the entire ballet.
ACT I, SCENES II and III: THE BATTLE and THE LAND OF SNOW, Choreographed by Karl Condon.
As Associate Artistic Director for Ballet Memphis, Karl has
choreographed numerous works for the company, including Kindling,
Interrobang, Wild Years, South of Everywhere, The Rescue and Murder on
the Orient Express. He has also choreographed Ballet Memphis'
educational enrichment pieces Giraffes Can't Dance, The Storybook
Prince, The Legend of the Panda and Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's
Ears. Karl's beautiful sense of time and surroundings, as well as his
great understanding of the company dancers and their abilities have
lead to a most magnificent rendition of the Kingdom of Sweets, where
Clara and the Nutcracker Prince dance among the snowflakes.
ACT II: THE KINGDOM OF SWEETS, Choreographed by Joseph Jefferies.
Joseph said farewell as a dancer to Ballet Memphis at the end of the
2005-2006 season to join Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, but
continues to choreograph for the company. His previous pieces for
Ballet Memphis include the full-length ballets Cinderella, The Little
Mermaid (reprised last season as part of our Under the Sea April
program), and Beauty and the Beast, as well as numerous pieces for our
Momentum and Connections series. Having experience as both a dancer and
choreographer for Ballet Memphis, Joseph brings his uncanny
understanding of the company's artistic direction to the famous final
act of the Nutcracker. The Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier, Mother
Ginger and her Polichinelles, the Dew Drop Fairy and her Flowers and
all your favorite dancers from Spain, Arabia, China and Russia come to
life through his eyes.
Special Event: Nutcracker Childrens' Tea Party
Ballet Memphis and The Peabody are so pleased to present this special event at Chez Philippe on December 5 & 6, from 1:00-3:00 pm. A magical afternoon with appearances by Nutcracker cast members and Ballet Memphis' professional dancers, with special treats from Chez Philippe. Cost is $35 and includes your tax, gratuity and parking, as well as a $10 donation to Ballet Memphis for its educational outreach programs. For reservations, please call 901-529-4188.
Tickets
Orpheum seating consists of five categories ranging from $5 to $70. Tickets may be purchased
individually by calling our box office at 901-737-7322, visiting The Orpheum box office in person or online, or purchasing here through our secure website.
