Yearly Archives: 2019

Cincinnati Ballet Dancers. Peter Mueller Photography.

CINCINNATI, OH (November 19, 2018) — The Nutcracker Presented by Frisch’s Big Boy, now in its 46^th annual season, returns to the Music Hall December 19 through 29. The production brings all of the region together with more than 100 children dancing alongside Cincinnati Ballet’s professional company. For a second straight year, the world’s most famous hippo – ‘Fiona’ returns to the production, showing off what she’s learned in ballet class. Cincinnati Ballet and Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens collaborated on the character for the creative partnership last year. It’s so wonderfully Cincinnati!

The Nutcracker is a classic holiday tale that follows the imaginative story of Clara, a little girl who embarks on a dreamy journey after she receives a nutcracker as a gift on Christmas Eve. With her Nutcracker Prince, Clara travels through the Land of Sweets, meeting colorful and exciting characters along the way. Artistic Director Victoria Morgan’s whimsical choreographic take on the classic story is like nothing you’ve ever seen before!

Each year, The Nutcracker provides the rare opportunity for young dancers to star in the featured roles of Clara and her brother, Fritz, along with 70 additional roles for more than 100 local young performers. Currently studying the lead role of Clara are Otto M. Budig Academy students, Mollie Berk and Riley Moser. While both girls have performed roles in The Nutcracker in previous years, this will be both young dancers’ first time dancing the role of Clara. Learning the role of Fritz this season are Academy students Marshall Anstaett and Quinn Posey.

Frisch’s Big Boy and Cincinnati Ballet have a long history of collaborating to present the production, dating back to the first Frisch’s Presents The Nutcracker in 1974. Frisch’s Restaurants Inc. championed that production through a generous donation and has sponsored the production every subsequent year.

This Cincinnati holiday favorite saw a re-envisioning in a 2011 World Premiere, with new sets by scenic designer John Ezell, bright and beautiful costumes by Carrie Robbins, lighting by Trad A Burns and athletic, engaging choreography by Victoria Morgan. Morgan’s rendition of the classical ballet is filled with unique, contemporary twists on longstanding traditions: from the bright, whimsical sets, stage effects and acrobatics to the appearance of new, playful characters such as Clara’s companion, a pet poodle named Minnie, dancing Cupcakes, tumbling Snowballs, an ensemble of poodles performing the Dance of the Mirlitons (or “Mirlipoos”) and more. After the debut of this version of the Nutcracker in 2011, David Lyman of the Cincinnati Enquirer wrote, “The Nutcracker is now a 21^st Century spectacle; bright, high-tech and filled with imagery.”

PERFORMANCE DATES AND INFORMATION

WHO: Cincinnati Ballet
Choreography: Victoria Morgan

Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, performed with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Carmon DeLeone

WHAT: The Nutcracker presented by Frisch’s Big Boy

WHEN:

• Thursday, December 19 – 7:30 pm
• Friday, December 20 – 7:30 pm
• Saturday, December 21 – 2:00 pm
• Saturday, December 21 – 7:30 pm
• Sunday, December 22 – 1:00 pm
• Sunday, December 22 – 6:30 pm
• Monday, December 23 – 2:00 pm
• Monday, December 23 – 7:30 pm
• Tuesday, December 24 – 1:00 pm
• Thursday, December 26 – 2:00 pm
• Thursday, December 26 – 7:30 pm
• Friday, December 27 – 7:30 pm
• Saturday, December 28 – 2:00 pm
• Sunday, December 29 – 1:00 pm

WHERE: Music Hall – 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

About Cincinnati Ballet
Since 1963, Cincinnati Ballet has been the cornerstone professional ballet company of the region, presenting a bold and adventurous array of classical, full-length ballets and contemporary works. Under the artistic direction of Victoria Morgan, Cincinnati Ballet has become a creative force within the larger dance community, commissioning world premiere works and exploring unique collaborations. With a mission to inspire hope and joy in our community and beyond through the power and passion of dance, Cincinnati Ballet reaches beyond the stage in programs that allow every person in the region to be part of the continued evolution of dance through exhilarating performances, extensive education outreach programs and top-level professional ballet training at Cincinnati Ballet Otto M. Budig Academy.

Cincinnati Ballet 2019-2020 Season Sponsors: Rhonda & Larry A. Sheakley, ArtsWave, Mercy Health, Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund, Ohio Arts Council, John A. Schroth Family Charitable Trust, Frisch’s Big Boy, Knowlton