Dec. 21-23
Morsani Hall at the Straz Center
Regularly priced tickets start at $30
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Tampa, Fla. — The Straz Center for the Performing Arts’ Next Generation Ballet (NGB) presents Nutcracker in Morsani Hall on December 21-23.
New York City Ballet Principals Sara Mearns and Amar Ramasar will perform the roles of Sugarplum Fairy and her Cavalier (Fri. and Sat.) and Miami City Ballet former principal Patricia Delgado and New York City Ballet Principal Gonzalo Garcia will perform Sugarplum Fairy and her Cavalier (Thurs.), along with the award-winning dancers of Next Generation Ballet and a cast of nearly 175 dancers, gymnasts and other guest artists in this spectacular holiday extravaganza.
Nutcracker was choreographed by former NGB Artistic Director Peter Stark with a few new additions by current NGB Artistic Director Philip Neal and is designed (sets, props and costumes) by Thom J. Peterson. This production has “marvelous” costumes “with inventive, whimsical touches.” (Tampa Bay Times) From the moment the lights dim, audiences are transported to a magical place filled with toy soldiers, a growing Christmas tree, giant mice and crystalline waltzing snowflakes. “This Nutcracker is a standout among many.” (Sarasota Herald-Tribune)
A stepping stone for great dance talent, NGB prepares dancers for professional employment through instruction, coaching and performance opportunities. The company is committed to the artistic, personal and professional development of outstanding young dancers. Performers in NGB have been awarded scholarship opportunities at the leading ballet schools worldwide and have received employment with ballet companies including New York City Ballet, Boston Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet and Hamburg Ballet. They have also placed first in prestigious competitions including Youth America Grand Prix, Prix de Lausanne and the World Ballet Competition.
Pre-show activities will include family photos with Santa Claus and live caroling.
Regularly priced tickets for the Thursday, Dec. 21 and Friday, Dec. 22 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 23 2 and 7 p.m. performances of Nutcracker start at $30 and may be purchased by calling 813.229.STAR (7827) or 800.955.1045 outside Tampa Bay, in person at the Straz Center Ticket Sales Office or online at www.strazcenter.org. For more information about the Straz Center for the Performing Arts and its upcoming events, please visit the Straz Center’s website at www.strazcenter.org.
Events, days, dates, times, performers and prices are subject to change without notice.
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The presenting sponsor of Nutcracker is Chick-Fil-A, and additional funding for student productions is provided in part by Triad Foundation. Patel Conservatory dance programs are funded in part by Duke and Carol Hester.
The David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts and its programs are funded in part by the City of Tampa; the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners; the Tourist Development Council/Hillsborough County; the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and the National Endowment for the Arts