OKC BALLET

NEWS RELEASE

OKC Ballet’s The Nutcracker Returns to Stage

“THE NUTCRACKER” RETURNS WITH OKC BALLET

Fresh off their smashing success of the season opening performance of “Rodeo: A Triple Bill,” Oklahoma City Ballet will once again bring the holiday favorite “The Nutcracker” presented by Devon Energy to the Civic Center Music Hall stage in December. This beloved holiday classic choreographed by Artistic Director Robert Mills stays true to the original libretto that premiered in 1892 at the Marinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg. The Oklahoma City Philharmonic will perform Tchaikovsky’s familiar score live at every performance.

With the largest company to date in its 45th Anniversary season, this year promises to delight audiences of all ages.  Nine shows are scheduled for December 10-20, 2016 and tickets start at $15 and are available now through OKC Ballet and Civic Center Box offices and websites.

“Often while in the lobby, I will have someone come up and tell me how their parents brought them to The Nutcracker as a child and how excited they are to bring their children. It truly is a generational tradition,” said Executive Director Shane Jewell. To commemorate the occasion, there will be a photographer on site with a custom-made holiday backdrop for a family photo opportunity and Oklahoma Contemporary will provide a holiday craft before and during all performances for children to take home. This year’s project will be Sugar Plum Fairy and Nutcracker masks.  Braum’s will also provide milk & cookies after matinee performances, for which the dancers in costume will join families for a meet & greet.

To add to the festivities, this year will add a new tradition to the list: The Nutcracker Tea in the Kingdom of Sweets.  The Tea will be held in the Meinders Hall of Mirrors in the Civic Center on Sunday, December 18 at 4:30 pm.  Get swept away to the Kingdom of sweets with treats, crafts, activities, and your favorite characters from the Ballet.  The Dance Center of Oklahoma City Ballet’s mascot Penelope will also be there to help celebrate the Nutcracker season.  To treat the patrons over 21, there will be a champagne bar. Sponsorship opportunities are still available by calling the OKC Ballet development department at 405-843-9898.

Performances take place on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 18 at 2 p.m., Monday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m., and Tuesday, Dec, 20 at 7 p.m.  Single tickets may be purchased by calling Oklahoma City Ballet 405-848-TOES (8637) or online at www.okcballet.com/performances/nutcracker or by calling the Civic Center Box office at 405-297-2264.  All performances take place at the Civic Center Music Hall, 201 North Walker, Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma City Ballet Box Office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located at 7421 North Classen, Oklahoma City.

For tickets and more information, visit the website at www.okcballet.com or call (405) 848-TOES (8637).

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About Oklahoma City Ballet:  Founded in 1972 by Ballet Russe dancers Yvonne Chouteau and Miguel Terekhov, Oklahoma City Ballet has been the city’s professional ballet company for 45 years. It is the resident dance company of the Civic Center Music Hall and currently boasts 45 dancers from around the world. Led by Artistic Director Robert Mills, the Company produces four main stage productions per season in Oklahoma City and tours across Oklahoma and the surrounding states. Oklahoma City Ballet restages the classics in addition to neoclassical and other works of the 20th century.  It also regularly commissions new works from the industry’s leading choreographers.