American Repertory Ballet will present its 49th annual production of The Nutcracker in theaters throughout New Jersey this holiday season. This year’s production features brand new Act II sets by Carl Sprague, which were designed and created through the generous support of the Covance Foundation.  “I'm delighted to see the fulfillment of our impressionist era concept through the imagination of our wonderful designer Carl Sprague,” says Company Director Douglas Martin. “His expressive water color design will bring our production to life.” The production will also feature choreography by Martin, which dance critic Robert Johnson praised as “a marvel of deliberate grace…filled with bounding energy” after its 2010 debut, and a classic Victorian-era Act I, restored last year from the original choreography by founder Audrée Estey in 1963.  Set to Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score, and featuring a cast of 100 performers, the professional dancers of American Repertory Ballet and students from Princeton Ballet School will tell the traditional story of a young girl and how a mysterious gift brings about enchanted dreams and fantastical scenes.  The production promises to be filled with virtuosic dancing and warm holiday charm.

In addition to The Nutcracker performances, American Repertory Ballet will offer several special events in the community this season:

American Repertory Ballet is once again partnering with the Terra Momo Restaurant Group to extend the Nutcracker experience beyond the theater.  All Terra Momo Restaurants will offer 20% off to ticket holders who enjoy a meal before or after a performance of American Repertory Ballet’s Nutcracker.  For more information, and to make reservations at Eno Terra in Kingston or Mediterra and Teresa Caffe in downtown Princeton, visit the Terra Momo Restaurant Group at www.terramomo.com.

American Repertory Ballet will also hold special Nutcracker “Victorian Teas” this year immediately preceding the 1:00 pm performances on Saturday, November 26th and Sunday, November 27th at Princeton’s McCarter Theatre. Families can enjoy tea, coffee and hot cocoa with a light brunch; have photos taken with costumed dancers from the ballet; and enjoy live music.  Children will also receive a special gift. A live reading of the classic tale will help prepare all attendees for the ballet they are about to see. ARB’s Nutcracker Victorian Teas will be held at 11:00 am in the West Lobby of McCarter Theatre. Reservations are required for this special event. Please contact American Repertory Ballet at 732.249.1254 ext. 25 for more information.

Alumni of the American Repertory Ballet and Princeton Ballet School are invited to the 7th Annual Nutcracker Alumni Gathering on Saturday, November 26th immediately following the 4:30 pm performance. If you, your children, or any member of your family has ever taken part in this production or has been a student or dancer at Princeton Ballet School or American Repertory Ballet, please come join the party and share your memories.  The event is free, but reservations are requested. For reservations, contact Alumni Relations Coordinator Lisa de Ravel at 609.921.7758 ext. 11.

Performances at State Theatre also feature a live orchestra, under the direction of maestro Michael Pratt and a special appearance from the Princeton Girlchoir.

Whether it’s your first time or part of an annual tradition, The Nutcracker and all of American Repertory Ballet’s Special Events are a perfect holiday treat for your entire family. For performance details and more information about American Repertory Ballet and Princeton Ballet School please visit www.arballet.org.

American Repertory Ballet presents The Nutcracker:

McCarter Theatre
91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
November 25, 2011 1:00pm and 4:30pm
November 26, 2011 at 1:00pm and 4:30pm
November 27, 2011 at 1:00pm
Tickets: $20-$55, www.mccarter.org, 609.258.2787

TD Bank Arts Centre
519 Hurffville Crosskeys Rd, Sewell, NJ 08080
December 3, 2011 at 6:00pm
Tickets: $25-$45, www.tdbankarts.com, (800)982.2787

Patriots Theater at the War Memorial
1 Memorial Drive, Trenton, NJ 08619
December 10, 2011 at 1:00pm and 4:30pm
Tickets: $26-$41, www.thewarmemorial.com, 609.984.8400

The State Theatre – Featuring a Live Orchestra and the Princeton Girlchoir!
15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
December 17, 2011 at 1:00pm and 4:30pm
December 18, 2011 at 1:00pm and 4:30pm
Tickets: $32-$57, www.statetheatrenj.org, 732.246.SHOW

Special Nutcracker Events:

November 19th Nutcracker characters visit Mediterra restaurant
1:00-3:00pm, 29 Hulfish Street, Princeton, NJ
www.mediterrarestaurant.com, for restaurant information and reservations

November 25th Princeton Palmer Square Tree Lighting
Free Event, 3:30-4:30pm, Palmer Square Green

November 26th and 27th Nutcracker Tea Parties
11:00am McCarter Theatre West Lobby
$50 adults, $30 children 12 and under, 732.249.1254 ext. 25

About American Repertory Ballet

American Repertory Ballet’s mission is to bring the joy, beauty, artistry and discipline of classical and contemporary dance to New Jersey and nationwide audiences and to dance students through artistic and educational programs.  The organization is comprised of: the American Repertory Ballet professional company, the preeminent classical and contemporary ballet company in the state; the Princeton Ballet School, one of the largest and most respected non-profit dance schools in the nation; and the Education and Outreach initiatives, including the long-running and acclaimed DANCE POWER program.  The professional company is a classical and contemporary ballet company committed to presenting ballets from the 19th and 20th century alongside new and existing works by choreographers from today.  The company, founded in 1963, is currently under the artistic leadership of Douglas Martin, former principal dancer with the Joffrey Ballet.  The company’s rich history of repertory includes established masterpieces by distinguished American choreographers such as George Balanchine, Gerald Arpino, Alvin Ailey, Paul Taylor and Twyla Tharp; cutting edge works by choreographers such as Val Caniparoli, Kirk Peterson, Dominique Dumais, Harrison McEldowney, Amy Seiwert, Susan Shields and Melissa Barak; and former Artistic Directors Dermot Burke, Marjorie Mussman, Septime Webre and Graham Lustig.

ARB has been designated a "Major Arts Institution" by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts consistently for the past two decades, and has repeatedly been awarded a Citation of Excellence by the Council.  ARB was voted People's Choice for Best Dance Company in 2008. 

Princeton Ballet School has gained a national reputation for its excellent dance training since its founding in 1954 by Audrée Estey. Under the direction of Mary Pat Robertson, Princeton Ballet School currently enrolls about 1500 students, starting at age three, and includes a large open enrollment division for adults. Princeton Ballet School has studios in Cranbury, New Brunswick, and Princeton and offers classes in ballet, modern dance, jazz, Spanish dance, hip-hop, and Pilates.  Students from the school have gone on to dance in professional ballet and contemporary dance companies in the US and abroad. Graduates have danced with such diverse organizations as the Paul Taylor Dance Company, Miami City Ballet, Complexions, Mark Morris Dance Company, Twyla Tharp, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Ballet West and on Broadway.