Go Nuts!

Intimidated by the number of versions of the famed ballet hitting Boston this winter? Take this quiz!

Urban Nutcracker by Raven Wolfe Photography

It’s Nutcracker season! Ladies, we know what you’re thinking: There are so many, how do I choose? And men, we get it: do we have to go … AGAIN?

Good news! There are plenty of shows to go around, so if you want to try something different our quiz will guide you in the right direction this holiday season. Our favorite? We wouldn’t miss any of them!

1. I’ve seen “The Nutcracker”…
A.    Never
B.    Only a handful of times
C.    What’s “The Nutcracker”?
D.    Enough times to want to change it up

2. My plan for a night out is to…
A.    Get dressed up, go big and go home
B.    Impress my date with something cultural and romantic
C.    Have a fun night out with the whole family without breaking the bank
D.    Hoot and holler and have a rip-roaring time with friends

The Polichinelles in José Mateo’s Nutcracker

3. When I think of “The Nutcracker” I think of…
A.    Tchaikovsky’s score
B.    The Sugar Plum Fairy
C.    Children
D.    Ugly Christmas sweaters

4.  When it comes to Tchiakovsky’s score I want to hear …
A.    A big, live orchestra
B.    Pre-recorded music is OK with me
C.    A jazzy version
D.    Buzz buzz

Boston Ballet’s Nutcracker by Gene Schiavone

5. I want to see…
A.    The biggest Christmas tree ever
B.    Men in tights … up close and personal
C.    Ballet with a little tap, jazz and hip-hop too
D.    Boobs
6. When it snows I want…
A.    White-out conditions
B.    Only want a light dusting
C.    To be outside on the Public Garden
D.    To be protected from the elements

7. All I want for Christmas is …
A.    A prince to sweep me off my feet
B.    A Nutcracker
C.    A loved one home from the military
D.    Batteries for my dildo

The Slutcracker

8. When I go to sleep I dream about …
A.    Dancing bears
B.    Mice
C.    Hula hoops
D.    50 Shades of Grey

9. I would love to travel to…
A.    Russia
B.    China
C.    My favorite spots in Boston
D.    The Museum of Sex

10. Santa, I’ve been:
A.    Perfect
B.    Nice
C.    Happy
D.    Naughty

If you scored:

Mostly As
Boston Ballet presents Mikko Nissinen’s “The Nutcracker”
Tradition! You have BB’s Christmas ballet permanently marked in your calendar for you to enjoy from age 2-102.
November 28-December 31
The Opera House
539 Washington St., Boston
$35-$220, 617-695-6950
www.bostonballet.org

Mostly Bs
José Mateo Ballet Theatre presents “The Nutcracker”
You want to have a quiet dinner date night, enjoy the ballet and continue your night over a cup of hot cocoa in Harvard Square.
November 28-December 21
Various venues: The Sanctuary Theatre (Harvard Square, Cambridge),
The Strand Theatre (Dorchester) and Duxbury Performing Arts Center
$15-$50, 617-354-7467  
www.ballettheatre.org

Mostly Cs
Tony Williams’ Urban Nutcracker
You know a little bit about ballet, but you want to spice it up, and bring it into Boston’s 21st century.
December 12-28
John Hancock Hall
180 Berkeley Street, Boston
$25-85, (888) 596-1027
www.urbannutcracker.com

Mostly Ds
Vanessa White’s “The Slutcracker — A Burlesque”
Want shock and awe? This show is definitely a conversation starter. Even your conservative buddies will be jealous that you got to be a little naughty for a night.
December 5-31
Somerville Theater
55 Davis Square, Somerville
$27, 617-625-4088
www.theslutcracker.com

Anthony Williams’ Urban Nutcracker

Now in its 13^th season, Anthony Williams’ Urban Nutcracker returns to the John Hancock Hall stage full of excitement and Boston-centric detail.

It’s more than a ballet of the classic holiday fairy tale. Sure, it’s Tchaikovsky’s score, but a smooth, swanky, jazz interpretation by Duke Ellington. The urbanized “Hubcracker” version reflects Boston’s multicultural vibe, embracing all forms of dance and diversity including tap, hip-hop, swing, flamenco, step, jazz and 75 local children.

The Prologue is always entertaining, and this year’s street battle is no exception. It’s tap versus hip-hop krump and it’s fantastic. Urban tapper Khalid Hill battles local krumper Russell Ferguson (Season 6 winner of “So You Think You Can Dance”). Whether it’s free-styled or completely choreographed you could watch these two go at it all night — true talents of their crafts. You’ll get to witness more of Ferguson onstage as Soldier Doll and Russian Caviar Caper.

Young dancer Alexa Wang (Clarice) is truly a joy to see perform. She has the biggest smile on her face — enjoying her moment onstage. Other lovable characters include the return of Tony Award winner Yo-el Cassell as the quirky Minimeyer, Soldier Doll, Six Roff Riff’s blue bopping dancers and the Sugar Plum Fairy (Kseniya Melyukhina).

New changes feature a Snow Scene in Boston’s Public Garden — Clarice (Alexa Wang) and the Nutcracker Prince are led by a sleigh of ducklings, inspired by author Robert McClockey’s “Make Way for Ducklings.” The Grand Pas de Duex is a Grand Pas de Quatre — the Sugar Plum Fairy (Melyukhina) is accompanied by 3 males from the divertissments (Russian Caviar Caper Ferguson, Desert Chiffon Marquise Hitchcock-Jones and Branch Rick Vigo) along with Drosselmeyer (Gianni Di Marco) who plays a major role throughout the show, replacing an absent Nutcracker Prince in the second act.

Anthony Williams’ Urban Nutcracker

Through December 22

John Hancock Hall

180 Berkeley Street, Boston

$25-$85, (888) 596-1027

www.urbannutcracker.com

Tappin’ Thru Life: An Evening with Maurice Hines

Hines with the Manzari Brothers. © Scott Suchman

“Fierce!” “Too Marvelous!” — Maurice Hines own words — during “Tappin Thru Life” does not even begin to describe the good ol’ fashion entertainment the life-long performer brings to the Cutler Majestic Theatre this week.

“Tappin’ Thru Life” is much more than a tap dance production. With the backdrop of the Berklee College of Music Select Big Band, Hines pours his heart and soul in to the show — giving the audience an intimate look at his life in showbiz.

At almost 70, Hines’ stage presence is mesmerizing — as if the theater is his living room and the audience, old friends. He sings My Fair Lady’s “Get me to the Church on Time” because it’s “fun to sing,” and tells stories of his parents.  The 90-minute show is packed with 20 songs honoring those whom Hines had personal connections with including Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Lena Horne. Then, as a touching tribute to his younger brother Gregory, Hines does the first soft-shoe number the Hines boys, alongside his late brother, in spotlight.

The show takes a turn to the future, as Hines introduces the future of tap — The Manzari Brothers, John and Leo. The mentor stands like a proud papa watching the two brothers tap away, even though they seeming to be pushing the “old man” offstage.

Finally, Hines recently discovered some “homegrown” talent with the help of Roxbury’s Boston Tap Company founder Sean Fielder. Westfield native, 11 year-old Grace Emma Cannady is a force to be reckoned with as she takes on both Manzari Brothers with her impressive routine. This little girl is a star in the making.

You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll reminisce, and you’ll fall in love with Maurice Hines and his love for all things that make you forgot make you smile. A must-see!

The band

The collegiate band is just as integral to Hines’ story of past and present as the dancers and stories. Bassist Matt Byron accompanies Hines with a tribute to Horne in “Honeysuckle Rose,” and Music director Sherrie Maricle takes to the drums in honor of Duke Ellington.

Tappin’ Thru Life: An Evening with Maurice Hines

May 14-19

The Cutler Majestic Theatre

219 Tremont St., Boston

$25-$89, 617-824-8400

www.artsemerson.org

Dance every night this week!

As the season winds down, there’s a chance to see some amazing dance through the weekend. Fill your social calendar ASAP:

Tappin’ Thru Life: An Evening with Maurice Hines © Scott Suchman

Tuesday-Sunday:

Tappin’ through Life: An Evening with Maurice Hines

The Broadway star sings and taps honoring his older brother Gregory Hines all the singers and performers who have shaped his career and the history of tap. Music features the Berklee College of Music Select Big Band. (Cutler Majestic Theatre, artsemerson.org)

Thursday-Sunday:

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre

(Citi Wang Theatre, www.celebrityseries.org)

Misa Kuranaga and Jeffrey Cirio in “Coppélia” ©The George Balanchine Trust. Photo by Rosalie O’Connor.

Thursday-May 26:

Boston Ballet: Coppélia

Mikko Nissinen’s dancers take on George Balanchine’s full-length story ballet about a man who falls in love with a life-size doll.

(The Opera House, bostonballet.org)

Friday:

Tap Day Celebration!

Looking for a lunch break? ArtsEmerson invites you (regardless of skill level) onstage for a tap dance circle. (Cutler Majestic Theatre, artsemerson.org)

Friday-Saturday:

Prometheus Dance: Heart of the Matter

In celebration of its 25^th anniversary, the modern dance company performs a world premiere.

(The Boston Conservatory Theater, worldmusic.org)

Friday-Sunday:

José Mateo Ballet Theatre: Method & Madness

JMBT concludes its season with three ballets: “The Sirens,” “Escape” and “Over and Over.”

(The Sanctuary Theatre, ballettheatre.org)

An interview with Savion Glover

Savion Glover

Savion Glover is the greatest tap dancer who has ever lived. Period.

And, although it’s been 17 years since Glover won the Tony Award for Best Choreography in “Bring in ‘Da Noise, Bring in ‘Da Funk,” the 39-year-old star continues on his crusade to make tap dance a more serious art form. Metro caught up with the hoofer about his upcoming performance — “SoLe Sanctuary” — a Boston premiere.

What is SoLE Sanctuary all about?

It’s an evening of dance. It’s a show that is a tribute to the men and women responsible for my progress as a dancer. It’s an evening of homage. … I was blessed to know these people, to learn from these people, and to grow to love them as well.

Aside from them being your inspiration. How did you go about the creative process?

I called a good buddy — I called Marshall (Davis Jr). I said, “Hey, do you wanna do the gig?” He says “yes,” and then we just go and express. … Sometimes our rehearsals are just conversations where we talk about the dance and the different ways we want to approach and express … and that’s it. We get together and build out some music and express that through the dance.

How much of the performance is improv?

We do a couple of things that are choreographed, but most of it is improvisation. Over half of the performance is improvisation. It’s like a musician playing music — anything that is off the charts is basically left up to the imagination, which we call improvisation. … I am better expressed through improvisation … and it’s been like that for me for a while. I like choreography — I think it’s cool. It allows us to think about the audience more and form a presentation. But improvisation allows me to express more of what I’m thinking at the time, how I’m feeling at the time.

And is that how you’re feeling at the time in life? Or right there in that moment, on stage?

Oh yeah, it can be the time in life. Or In the moment. At the time in life is in the moment.

What is the most unusual place you have tapped?

I don’t know. I don’t know.

You tapped on Sesame Street for a long time. Do you think kids see the educational value in tap and performing arts?

This is one of my goals. … We still have adults who just don’t understand the education behind tap dance or the seriousness … and I think that has a lot to do with the history associated with tap dance. When we can recognize tap dance to be a more seriously taken art form, then we can talk about the education of it. But it is my proud privilege to be one of the educators through the dance. [I] try to allow the audience to hear the musicality through the dance versus just seeing the dance. The importance of the audio, the sound, is vital.

What advice would you give people who want to learn more about tap dancing, but don’t exactly know how to dance, or don’t think they’re dancers.

Go with it. (laughs). Go with the thought. If you don’t think you’re a dancer than you’re obviously not a dancer. That’s it.

Those Happy Feet

Did you know Happy Feet’s Mumble got his dance moves from Glover? The tap dancer wore a motion-capture body suit to help bring the penguin to life.

Celebrity Series of Boston and World Music/CRASHarts Presents Savion Glover: SoLe Sanctuary

Saturday, January 12, 8pm

The Opera House

539 Washington St., Boston

MBTA: Red/Orange Line to Downtown Crossing; Green Line to Boylston

$40-$75

617-876-4275

www.worldmusic.org