the nutcracker suite
or, a rhythmaturgical evocation of the super-leviathonic enchantments of Duke and Billy’s supreme adaptation of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece that tells a tale of a misunderstood girl who kills a king and meets a queen and don’t forget oooo-gong-chi-gong-sh’-gon’make-it- daddy, and that it ain’t so bad after all
2019
“One of the most imaginative tap choreographers working today.”
The Nutcracker Suite (2019) created by Michelle Dorrance, Hannah Heller, and Josette Wiggan set to Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s extraordinary interpretation of the Tchaikovsky score is a transformation of the classic tale. Trading pointe shoes for tap shoes in this high-energy, large ensemble reimagining of a seasonal favorite. In the music, the “March of the Toy Soldiers” becomes the “Peanut Brittle Brigade” and “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy becomes “Sugar Rum Cherry.” Join Dorrance Dance for an unforgettable trip to the land of sweets filled with surprises, humor, and the rhythmic symphony of world-class tap dancers.
program details:
Run time: 60 minutes
Live music
nutcracker suite
Run time: 70 minutes
19 dancers; 2 musicians
Choreography: Michelle Dorrance and Josette Wiggan, in collaboration with the performers. Additional choreography by Ephrat “Bounce” Asherie, Hannah Heller, Matthew “Megawatt” West & Joseph Wiggan
Music: “Nutcracker Suite” Composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, arr. Ellington/Strayhorn by arrangement with G. Schirmer, INC. publisher and copyright ower
Lighting Design: Kathy Kaufmann
Costume Design: Andrew Jordan
Set Design: Peiyi Wong, with additional design and elements by Maya Topping Weed, Ariel Lauryn, Amelia Lang, and Carolyn Mraz
Sound Design: Christopher Marc
