Thu 12/16 & Fri 12/17 @ 7:30PM
If you’re a Nutcracker fan and haven’t managed to catch one of the multiple versions of the popular holiday ballet being performed around the region, you’re in luck!
The University of Akron’s Dance Institute is presenting the world premiere of its own version, in collaboration with the Akron Symphony Orchestra conducted by music director Christopher Wilkins and Verb Ballets for three performances at E.J. Thomas Hall.
It’s titled The Akron Nutcracker: A Holiday in the Rubber City and its distinctive take will set the ballet in Akron in 1930s, when it was a bustling, prosperous industrial town with Main Street lined with businesses and department stores such as Polsky’s which decorated their windows for the holidays and wealthy families such as the Seiberlings celebrated in style at Stan Hywet Hall. This vision of Christmases past will be conveyed in costumes, sets and video projections.
Performers include the Verb Ballets company and dancers from University of Akron’s Dance Institute and dance program, featuring young students as well as professional dancers. It’s one of the few area Nutcrackers to feature live orchestration of the familiar Tchaikovsky music.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for youth. Masks are required.