With the holidays well underway, another favorite season has also begun – Nutcracker season! All of the greatest companies in the world are putting on performances of the classic tale over the next month. We all know how the story goes with Clara and her nutcracker and their adventures through the house on Christmas Eve. This year, choreographer and director Jennifer Weber is shaking up the classic.
Weber’s dream for The Nutcracker this year didn’t include as many tutus and pointe shoes as you might expect. Instead, she took Clara and her new toy on an adventure through present-day New York City that is largely told through hip hop. But even with this change of scene and style, Weber’s vision of The Nutcracker is still deeply rooted in Tchaikovsky’s orginal classic.
The hip hop dancers who make up the cast of this play have spent months diligently practicing their moves in time with the classical ballet music you’d expect from more standard adaptations. Of course, it wouldn’t be a hip hop adaptation without new music. Hip Hop songs we love to dance to come together with an original track from Kurtis Blow as well as the musical contributions of a DJ and even an electric violinist to form the musical accompaniment for the production.
The Hip Hop Nutcracker takes Tchaikovsky’s classic score and brings it together with the energy and excitement of one of today’s most popular genres of dance – hip hop – to create a family-friendly holiday experience like no other. Luckily, this show is on the move, touring the country until the end of December. You’re going to want to find a show near you.
For more information about this production, visit hiphopnutcracker.com.