Madison Ballet’s Brand-New Nutcracker Lights Up the Overture Stage
The Nutcracker returns to Overture Hall this December with a holiday performance that will dazzle like no other. In celebration of Madison Ballet’s 40th Anniversary Season, this production brings all-new choreography to Tchaikovsky’s famous score to tell the timeless tale of Clara and her Nutcracker Prince.
Artistic Director Sara Stewart Schumann leads the company in the monumental task of reimagining this classic holiday story for a modern audience. The result will be a truly collaborative production: Schumann and Ballet Master Thomas Mattingly are choreographing the majority of the production, and additional artists from both inside and outside the organization are providing an authentic voice for many sections of the ballet.
“With this opportunity to create new choreography, we sought to engage artists in our community who can help us respectfully portray and celebrate the different cultures represented throughout the story,” says Schumann.
The new Chinese divertissement is choreographed by Madison Ballet soloist Yu-Jhe Sun in consultation with Yaqi Wu, a Madison-based traditional Chinese dancer of incredible artistry, who added her experience and insight to this creative process at Schumann’s invitation. The Spanish divertissement is produced in collaboration with Madison Ballet soloist Michelle Ramos.
Several sections of the performance are inspired by Ruth Page’s choreography for her Chicago Tribune Charities Nutcracker, a production in which Schumann herself danced the role of the American Beauty Rose.
Audiences will be treated to new costumes, new characters, and more of Tchaikovsky’s delightful score, played live by the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. “It’s going to add a whole new energy for the dancers and audiences alike, with the wonderful holiday spirit we all look forward to each year,” says Schumann.
The Nutcracker is a staple holiday tradition for families in the Madison community. Until last winter, Madison Ballet had performed the Nutcracker every year since 1981. “After 18 months away from the stage, we are overjoyed to return to our home in the Overture Center, and to give children and adults in our community the bright, beautiful gift of a brand-new Nutcracker,” says CEO Jonathan Solari.
PERFORMANCE & TICKET INFORMATION
Dates & Times
Friday, December 17 – 7:00pm
Saturday, December 18 – 1:00pm & 6:00pm
Sunday, December 19 – 1:00pm & 6:00pm
Thursday, December 23 – 6:00pm
Friday, December 24 – 1:00pm
Sunday, December 26 – 1:00pm & 6:00pm
Ticket Information
Single Tickets: $16 – $65
Group Tickets: 20% discount on select seating for groups of 10 or more.
Tickets can be purchased online at MADISONBALLET.ORG or by calling The Overture Center Box Office at 608.258.4141.
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