A selection of events taking place in the Garden State this weekend.
State Theatre presents
American Repertory Ballet in
The Nutcracker
50th Annual Production
Saturday, December 21, 2013, 1pm and 4:30pm / Sunday, December 22, 2013, 1pm and 4:30pm
$67, $57, $52, $42, $32
Ticket Office: 732-246-SHOW (7469)
New Brunswick, NJ (November 26, 2013)—State Theatre presents the 50th anniversary production of the American Repertory Ballet’s The Nutcracker for four performances on Saturday, December 21 at 1pm and 4:30pm and Sunday, December 22 at 1pm and 4:30pm. These performances feature Tchaikovsky’s score played live by an orchestra under the direction of Maestro Michael Pratt, and vocal by the Princeton Girlchoir. Tickets range from $32-67.
American Repertory Ballet, formerly known as Princeton Ballet, has been performing its Nutcracker at State Theatre for over 20 years. American Repertory Ballet’s current version of Nutcracker is choreographed by Artistic Director Douglas Martin, with additional choreography by Resident Choreographer Mary Barton, features the Act I Party and Battle scenes from Company Founder Audrée Estey’s original production. This year, there will be a brand new growing Christmas tree, designed by Carl Sprague.
ARB’s Nutcracker is a special opportunity for select students from Princeton Ballet School to join the professional company on stage. Many are from Middlesex and Mercer Counties. Some students from Princeton Ballet School’s New Brunswick location will be performing at the New Brunswick tree lighting ceremony on Friday, December 6 at the corner of Livingston Avenue and George Street, in front of Monument Square, from 5pm-7pm. These New Brunswick students are DANCE POWER Scholars—students who were selected from American Repertory Ballet’s DANCE POWER program in New Brunswick Public Schools to attend Princeton Ballet School on full scholarship.
Princeton Ballet School Director Mary Pat Robertson will be hosting Pre-Performance Insights on Saturday, December 21 at 12pm (prior to the 1pm show);Saturday, December 21 at 3:30pm (prior to the 4:30pm show), and Sunday, December 22 at 3:30pm (prior to the 1pm show). These lectures, which will introduce people to the ballet’s story and characters before the show, will be held at the united Methodist Church at 323 George Street (diagonally across the street from the theatre). Roberston will also host a post-performance discussion with costumed characters after the 1pm performance on December 21. This will be a special chance for audience members to meet the dancers, ask questions, and request autographs.
Top sponsors of ARB’s 50th Annual Nutcracker Season include: New Brunswick Development Corporation, Covance Foundation, The Charles and Rachel Gray Fund of the Princeton Area Community Foundation, and Hampton Inn. Town Topics and Princeton Magazine, Packet Media, NJ Family, Bucks County Courier, Bucks Life Magazine, Moxie Woman Magazine, and Princeton Alumni Weekly are media sponsors.
About American Repertory Ballet and Princeton Ballet School
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: American Repertory Ballet, the preeminent contemporary ballet company in the state; Princeton Ballet School, one of the largest and most respected non-profit dance schools in the nation; and the Access and Enrichment initiatives, ranging from the long-running and acclaimed DANCE POWER program to the popular On Pointe series. 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. Founded in 1963, the company 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, 2011, and 2012.
Princeton Ballet School has gained a national reputation for its excellent dance training since its founding in 1954 by Audrée Estey. Princeton Ballet School currently enrolls approximately 1500 students annually from age three through adult and is directed by Mary Pat Robertson. Princeton Ballet School has studios in Cranbury, New Brunswick, and Princeton which are equipped with shock-absorbent floors, non- slip dance surfaces and pianos for live accompaniment. Many of Princeton Ballet School’s faculty members have performed professionally; others have attained graduate degrees in dance education and have won awards for their teaching. Students from the school have gone on to dance in professional ballet and contemporary dance companies in the U.S. and abroad. Graduates have danced with such diverse organizations as the American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Paul Taylor Dance Company, Miami City Ballet, STREB, Momix, Complexions, Mark Morris Dance Company, Twyla Tharp Dance, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, New YorkTheatre Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Ballet Met Columbus, and American Repertory Ballet.
For tickets or more information, call the State Theatre ticket office at 732-246-SHOW (7469), or visit us online at www.StateTheatreNJ.org. The State Theatreticket office, located at 15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick NJ, is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 10am to 6pm; Wednesday 11am to 7pm; Saturday, 1pm to 5pm; and at least three hours prior to curtain on performance dates, unless otherwise specified. For information on group outings and discounts, call 732-247-7200, ext. 517. Some additional ticket and transaction fees may apply.
State Theatre, a premier nonprofit venue for the performing arts and entertainment. The theater exists to enrich people’s lives, contribute to a vital urban environment, and build future audiences by presenting the finest performing artists and entertainers and fostering lifetime appreciation for the performing arts through education. The State Theatre’s programs are made possible, in part, by funding from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and contributions from numerous corporations, foundations, and individuals. The Heldrich is the official hotel of the State Theatre. Magic 98.3 is the official radio station of the State Theatre. The Star-Ledger is the official newspaper of the State Theatre. United is the official airline of the State Theatre.
American Repertory Ballet in
The Nutcracker
Sat, December 21, 1pm and 4:30pm
Sun, December 22, 1pm and 4:30pm
$67, $57, $52, $42, $32
STATE THEATRE
15 Livingston Ave
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Ticket Office – 732-246-SHOW (7469)
Online - www.StateTheatreNJ.org
Events at the Jersey Shore
Photos with Santa - Ocean City
December 21 2013 -
Boardwalk Basketball Classic – Battle at the Board - Wildwood
December 21 2013 -
Brunch with Santa - Sea Isle
December 22 2013 -
Club Mac with Miss Maria Christmas Party
December 20, 2013 – December 20, 2013
Address: 36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ 07748
Times: 6-9 PM
Admission: $25 per child. $15 sibling discount.
Contact: Middletown Arts Center
Phone: 732-706-4100
Email: jen@inbloomcomm.com
Decorate and take home your very own gingerbread house, sing Christmas songs and play games! Food & snacks provided. Ages 5 & up. Admission: $25 per child. ($15 sibling discount.) Preregistration required. Call 732-706-4100 to register.