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Urban Nutcracker: BalletRox 2011

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Venue:	Wheelock Family Theatre
Dates:	Fri, Sat, Sun from 12/3/11 - 12/18/11
Hours:	1pm-3pm, 7:30pm-9:30pm, 5:30pm-7:30pm.
Ages:	Toddlers, Kids, Teens, Adults
In/Outdoor:	Indoor
Cost:	see below
Category:	Dance

Urban Nutcracker presents a multicultural interpretation of the dance classic, performed by professional dancers and a cast reflective of the rich diversity & promise of Boston’s youth.

Urban Nutcracker follows the story line of the 19th century fairy tale fusing ballet, swing, hip hop, flamenco and urban tap with the classical score of Tchaikovsky and the pulsating beat of Ellington. By casting dancers from multi-ethnic backgrounds, Urban Nutcracker provides the audience with an invaluable opportunity to bridge cultural barriers.

Designed to push beyond traditional interpretations and therefore beyond the traditional audience reach of the holiday classic, Urban Nutcracker will inspire a new generation of dance enthusiasts/theater patrons!

Dancers include Khalid Hill, returning to this signature role after receiving his Master’s degree from NYU. Hill is re-choreographing the tap sequence and will alternate with Sean Hill, who returns for his second year.

Every year in the Urban Nutcracker, the prologue is a vibrant mix of dance styles and music, including live drumming and doo wop singing. In this year’s production, a highlight is the riveting dance face-off between Irish Step wunderkind and the brilliant tapping of Khalid Hill and Sean Fielder. Each one tries to top the other in an accelerating battle of the feet, culminating in a coda of heart-thumping excitement.

To keep the annual event fresh and exciting, each year the Urban Nutcracker adds a spectacular new ingredient to the mix. This year’s addition is Irish step dancers from the Dunleavy Shaffer School of Irish Dance.

Venue & Tickets
The Wheelock Family Theatre
200 The Riverway, Boston

ANTHONY WILLIAMS - ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Anthony Williams, founder of BalletRox, is of mixed race heritage (African-American/Italian). He was born in Naples, Italy and raised in Jamaica Plain and Roxbury. He spent his formative years (ages 8 through 18) living in the Bromley-Heath housing project in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts.

After experiencing trouble as a street gang member, he discovered a way out through ballet. He received a scholarship from the Boston School of Ballet, which led to a successful career as a professional, international ballet dancer.

He worked his way up from corps-de-ballet to principal with such companies as Boston Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Gulbenkian Ballet, and the Norwegian Ballet. Anthony remembers how his early exposure to dance opened up a treasure of self-expression that was hidden to him at that time. Ballet gave him the confidence to take on the challenge of an exciting new career; offering him the necessary tools to make a successful transition from adolescence to adulthood.

Having benefited so greatly from the gift of dance, Mr. Williams now strives to give back to Boston, Boston’s youth, and Boston’s under-served communities a gift in kind. This gift is BalletRox – a scholarship based school and ballet company that provides community-focused, affordable, and high quality dance education as well as professional theatrical productions.

As founder and director of BalletRox, Mr. Williams demonstrates to Boston’s children that no matter who they are, how they look, or what their background, they can through hard work and dedication someday see in themselves – as Mr. Williams has seen in himself – a professional dancer, entrepreneur, teacher, civic leader, and role model.

COST

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$20-$55

WEBSITE

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www.wheelockfamilytheatre.org/current-season.aspx

LOCATION

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200 The Riverway, Boston, MA, 02215 map
Phone: 617-879-2147

REVIEWS

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I Enjoyed The Show Don't Go If Your A Ballet Critic

The show was good overall, but they could have added a little more hip hop and breakdancing with a higher level of difficulty...other than that it wasn bad, i would go again next year for the fun ...i willl take a non ballet expert that isn't looking to compare this fun show to a performances at the Wang ! i would agree that they should let people know that its a fun holiday show in the advertisements.