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

Nuts about ‘The Nutcracker’

It’s that time of year again. “Nutcracker” marathon weekend. Thursday-Saturday I saw three very different shows — Boston Ballet’s “The Nutcracker,” Anthony Williams’ “Urban Nutcracker,” and “The Slutcracker — A Burlesque.” All-in-all a great way to start the Christmas season.

Boston Ballet proves that quality never goes out of style  — Fluid movements and energy keep it very fresh

Read it: “The Nutcracker” is based off the book “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” by E.T.A. Hoffmann in 1816. Photo by Rosalie O’Connor

Get out of the cold and enjoy the warmth of Boston Ballet’s “The Nutcracker.”

Although the beloved story ballet about a little girl and her Christmas doll is an annual staple in the repertoire, Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen’s dancers make the 2010 production fresh and exciting.

For many theater goers, “The Nutcracker” is their first glimpse of classical ballet. The plot is easy to follow the show is action packed and you’ll laugh, oo and ah over the cast of characters (Bear, Mouse King, Mother Ginger, Russians, Arabians, the black sheep).

Veterans won’t be disappointed either. Young Alexandra Storch will have you reminiscing about how excited you were on Christmas Eve as a child (she is one of three Clara’s reprising the role). Snow King and Queen Pavel Gurevich and Lia Cirio are exquisite in The Enchanted Forest. And Misa Kuranaga blew us away again as The Sugar Plum Fairy.

From the rich live music of Tchaikovsky to the vintage-looking costumes to the set design and choreography, Boston Ballet has been swept up in the joy of the holiday spirit and you will too.

——–

NYE Magic

Making plans for New Year’s? Whether it’s a full family outing or a romantic date, get ticket’s for BB’s first New Year’s Eve performance. Don’t worry, you’ll be out in plenty of time to see the fireworks and ring in the New Year.

Tiny dancers

• More than 240 young dancers, (in three casts) from Boston Ballet School participate in the production.

Plot points:

Party scene: The Silberhauses have a Christmas Eve party and their daughter, Clara, receives a nutcracker from Herr Drosselmeier. She and her brother fight over it, and the doll eventually breaks, leaving her godfather to mend it with his handkerchief.

Battle scene: Clara falls asleep on the sofa but is soon awakened (as a dream sequence) by the clock striking midnight. The Nutcracker comes to life to battle the Mouse King protecting the young girl. The Nutcracker turns into a handsome Cavalier and whisks Clara off through the Enchanted Forest and snow to the Land of Sweets.

Land of Sweets: The Sugar Plum Fairy greets the pair and her kingdom puts on a show in Clara’s honor which includes themed dances: Spanish, Arabian, Chinese and Russian.

Boston Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’
Through Dec. 31
The Opera House
539 Washington St., Boston
MBTA: Red/Orange Line to Downtown Crossing; Green Line to Boylston
$35-$162, 617- 695-6950
www.bostonballet.org

‘Urban Nutcracker’ is fun for the whole family — If Tchaikovsky isn’t jazzy enough for you, this is

Anthony Williams' "Urban Nutcracker" Photo by Petr Metlicka

Now in its 10^th anniversary season, “Urban Nutcracker” continues to draw families to see its unique and diverse spin of the beloved Christmas story by E.T.A. Hoffmann.

The plot is updated to present day; Clarice and Omar’s father is serving overseas, the familiar classical music by Tchaikovsky has been morphed into smooth jazz by Duke Ellington; Drosselmeyer comes with sidekick Minimeyer and there are some additional dances in Act II’s Land of Fantasy.

Gianni DiMarco teams up with funny man Yo-el Cassel (Drosselmeyer and Minimeyer) leading the way to Clarice’s magical journey. The Sugar Plum Fairy (Elizabeth Mochizuki) pays meticulous attention to her. Janelle Gilchrist is comfortable with fluid moves as the lead Branch in the Branch and Flowers. Li-Ann Lim (Arabian) wows the crowd with her flexibility. But this show is all about the children — the ones dancing and the ones watching — and Artistic Director Anthony Williams really focuses on that, making it enjoyable for everyone involved.

While there were a few glitches Opening Night, as a whole, this show gets better every year. And the Wheelock Family Theater is the (new) perfect venue for the family-oriented multicultural production.

But don’t be late!

The addition of a prologue’s high-energy choreography sets the inner-city tone. This year, it’s the return of the Doo Wop Singers and addition of a Bollywood number as well as ultra pop futuristic hip-hop.

Anthony Williams’ ‘Urban Nutcracker’
Through Dec. 19
Wheelock Family Theater
200 The Riverway Boston, Boston
MBTA: Green Line to Fenway or Longwood
$20-$50, 617-879-2300
www.urbannutcracker.org

If classical ballet isn’t your thing, ‘The Slutcracker’ is holiday burlesque that’s both naughty and nice

The Amazing Cast for "The Slutcracker" Photo by Caleb Cole

Whoever said that “The Nutcracker” had to be nice never saw “The Slutcracker.”  This naughty sexy-freaky version of the holiday classic playing at the Somerville Theater, is now in its third year and growing with popularity.

Set to Tchaikovsky’s classical score, Clara is all grown up and gets engaged on Christmas Eve. But her Aunt Drosselmeyer will not hear of it — she insists that Clara explore her sexuality and become more intimate with herself before committing.

Highlights that will leave you begging for more include: the Battle between the ugly sweater brigade and the Slutcracker and its batteries; the horny Polichinelles, the Waltz of the Flowers and the Sugar Dish Fairy (Artistic Director Vanessa White).

This show is not for children — and audience participation (read: cat calls) are strongly encouraged. The show will leave you Energized (wink, wink) — truly the best $20 you and your friends will spend all season.

Amazing AND Bodacious!

White (aka Sugar Dish) expands this year’s production with two casts and more performances, including a Christmas Eve show. The Amazing cast (Fridays and Sundays) features the original Clara, Slutcracker Prince and Drosselmeyer — Malice in Wonderland, Oliver Tryst and 86-year-old Vaudeville star Mary Dolan. The Bodacious cast (Thursdays and Saturdays) adds a whole new dimension to the story line with a female Slutcracker Princess (Pamela Passion) and male Dancer of the Reed Pole (Ammon EP).

Enjoy the “Slut” at home:

That’s right. Now you can add “The Slutcracker” to your holiday book collection. “’Twas the Night Before “Slutcracker” written by White and John Wentworth with illustrations by Walter Sickert will be sold exclusively at live performances.

“The Slutcracker — A Burlesque”
Through Dec. 24
Somerville Theater
55 Davis Square, Somerville
MBTA: Red Line to Davis
$20, 617-625-5700
www.theslutcracker.com

BalletRox SpringRox Gala – May 2, 2010

Help support BalletRox and meet founder and artistic director Anthony Williams along with company dancers at the annual SpringRox Gala. According to BalletRox’s Web site: “100% of your contribution will go the BalletRox Scholarship program.”

Their mission?

“BalletRox is to use the power of dance to break down racial barriers and enrich the community’s artistic experience through the creation of a diverse dance company and school.”

Individual tickets
Corps de Ballet………….$100
Grand Plie………………..$250

Sponsorship Levels
Premier Danseur………..$500
Choreographer ………….$1,000
Prima Ballerina………….$5,000

Can’t attend? You can still make a donation.

BalletRox SpringRox Gala
May 2, 2010
5-8 p.m.
Tony Williams Dance Center
The Brewery
284 Amory Street, Jamaica Plain
617-460-4417
www.balletrox.org