A New England Nutcracker

A NEW ENGLAND NUTCRACKER

A REGIONAL TWIST ON A HOLIDAY CLASSIC
New Bedford Ballet will perform its annual production of A New England Nutcracker December 3 through 11 at the NBB Community Theatre, located at 2459 Purchase Street in New Bedford. Journey back to the 1850s, as this favorite holiday story is re-imagined through New Bedford’s historic whaling era and prepare for the “City That Lit the World” to light up your holiday season.

Set to Tchaikovsky’s beloved score, the performance follows young Mary through a night of adventure. You’ll begin at the lavish home of Captain Ephraim Williams where many guests, including Herman Melville, arrive at a holiday party, and the family celebrates the homecoming of the Captain after years at sea. He shares tales of his travels and comes bearing gifts, including exotic, dancing animals, and of course, a beautiful nutcracker for young Mary. After Mary drifts to sleep, the real adventures begin as the audience watches battling mice and soldiers, ending with the triumphant defeat of the Mouse Queen. The magical journey continues as Mary sails through dancing snowflakes to the Land of Sweets. The performance is filled with colorful and playful characters from around the globe, including those unique to the New England region. The audience is entertained by Asian Empresses, Spanish Flamenco Dancers, French Flute Dancers, and Russian Folk Dancers as well as New Bedford Whaling Sailors and a Wampanoag Nation Dancer. The performance brings a much-loved international holiday tale into our hometown.

This original adaptation of the traditional Nutcracker ballet, created by Rebecca Waskiel-Marchesseault, Artistic director of the New Bedford Ballet, features choreography by Ms. Waskiel-Marchesseault, Erin Allen, and Eugenia Zinovieva. The performance takes place in New Bedford Ballet’s studio, offering an intimate environment charged with the dancers’ energy. This simple version with narration is engaging for children, and the hour-long performance is perfect for anyone juggling the many events that fill the holiday season.

A New England Nutcracker is sponsored by the law firm of Lang, Xifaras, & Bullard, Riccardi’s Italian Restaurants & Buffet Catering, Inner Bay Restaurant, and Colonial Shutterworks.

Ten performances will take place over two weekends:

Saturday, December 3 at 1:30 and 3 PM
Sunday, December 4 at 1:30 and 3 PM
Friday, December 9 at 6:30 and 8 PM
Saturday, December 10 at 1:30 and 3 PM
Sunday, December 11 at 1:30 and 3 PM

Ticket prices are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors, students, and children. All proceeds from the ballet support the New Bedford Ballet Foundation, a non-profit organization. For over twenty years, the Foundation has granted scholarships and given thousands of area school children and seniors the opportunity to witness the splendor and beauty of ballet. As a result of private and corporate contributions to the Foundation, the Youth Ballet will also be performing A New England Nutcracker for students from PACE Head Start and Early Learning Center.

Celebrate the season with this classic holiday story that never gets old. Tickets are limited and sell quickly; reserve yours soon by contacting the New Bedford Ballet at 508-993-1387. “Cookies with the Cast”, where audience members can enjoy a snack and meet the dancers, will happen at every Saturday and Sunday performance at 3 p.m. For more information visit our website, www.newbedfordballet.org.