FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oklahoma City Ballet Presents a Classical Production of ‘The Nutcracker’

Traditional production enhanced for 2011 season.

OKLAHOMA CITY (Nov. 3, 2011) – The Oklahoma City Ballet will premiere its seasonal production of “The Nutcracker” at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 9 at the Civic Center Music Hall, located at 201 N. Walker Ave. in Oklahoma City.

The Oklahoma City Philharmonic will perform Tchaikovsky’s score live at each show. This year, the audience will also be introduced to a new character, Hans, an apprentice to the toymaker Drosselmeyer, among other enhancements to the choreography.

According to Robert Mills, artistic director for the Oklahoma City Ballet, this year’s production will stay true to the classic work. “The Nutcracker will remain a traditional version, intact with a Victorian-era Christmas party, a battle between mice and toy soldiers, and a journey through a land of snow, ending in a colorful land of sweets,” said Mills. “It’s a fanciful story that captures the imaginations of children and adults alike, told through the art of dance.” 

There will be a total of eight performances Dec. 9 – 11 and Dec. 16 – 18. Each weekend includes a 7 p.m. Friday performance, a 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. performance on Saturday and a 2 p.m. performance on Sunday. The production will feature 125 dancers, including 100 children selected during auditions in August.   
 
The matinee performances are enhanced by family activities, including ornament decorating and  drawings for  very special Nutcrackers beginning at 1 p.m., the story of the Nutcracker with Mrs. Claus at 1.30 p.m., and a Braum’s Milk & Cookies reception with the dancers after the ballet. Individual ticket prices range from $10 to $52 depending on the section. Online ticketing is available at http://www.okcballet.com/tickets.html, by phone at 405.848.TOES, or at the Civic Center Box Office.

ABOUT OKLAHOMA CITY BALLET

Founded in 1972, the Oklahoma City Ballet is the resident dance company of the Civic Center Music Hall and tours as part of the Oklahoma Arts Council’s touring program. It is the only U.S. ballet company of its size to regularly debut world premier full-length ballets with original commissioned scores. Oklahoma City Ballet also tours under the auspices of the Mid-America Arts Alliance, the National Endowment for the Arts Dance Touring Program and the Heartland Arts Fund. For more information, please visit www.okcballet.com or call 405.848.TOES.

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