Urban Nutcracker

Anthony Williams’ “Urban Nutcracker”, the modern Boston-centric holiday classic presented by City Ballet of Boston, returns this December! The live in-person performances, December 17-23, 2022 at the Boch Center Shubert Theatre, showcase winter scenes set in present-day downtown Boston, blending the rhythms of Duke Ellington with the classical music of Tchaikovsky. Anchored by classical ballet, the performances also include a broad range of dance forms such as tap, hip-hop, flamenco, and jazz, accompanied by a small live orchestra of local musicians.

Deemed “a holiday arts tradition reflecting the rich multicultural diversity of Boston” by The Boston Globe, more than 150 performers – local children and professional dancers – take the stage in this joyful rendition of heroine Clarice’s adventure with the street magician Drosselmeyer.

They explore iconic Boston landmarks such as the “Make Way for Ducklings” statues, the golden dome of the State House, the Boston Public Garden, Fenway Park’s “Green Monster,” the Citgo sign, the Hatch Shell, and Downtown Boston. The stage comes alive with hundreds of colorful costumes re-imagined by designer Dustin Todd Rennells (originally designed by Rebecca Cross) with eye-catching sets by Janie Howland.

Featuring new and original cast members—dancers Sabi Varga and Toby Towson as Drosselmeyer, tap phenomenon Khalid Hill, local hip-hop legend Ricardo Foster Jr, and Uganda-born ballerina Victoria Jaenson—along with partnerships with the Northeast Youth Ballet, Walnut Hill School for the Arts, and Revels, “Urban Nutcracker” can be enjoyed by the whole family, and all ages!
The closing evening of Urban Nutcracker sees an LGBTQ+-inclusive version of “Urban Nutcracker” take the stage. With same-sex partnering, male dancers in drag and en pointe, this performance challenges typical gender stereotypes in dance. Local drag artist Patty Bourrée joins “Urban Nutcracker” for this performance.