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Kansas City Ballet Celebrates 35th Annual Production of The Nutcracker KANSAS CITY, MO (October 17, 2007) – Kansas City Ballet will present its million-dollar production of The Nutcracker from December 1 through December 23 in the Music Hall in downtown Kansas City. This enchanting production’s vibrant costumes, stunning sets, choreography by Artistic Director Emeritus Todd Bolender, and Peter Tchaikovsky’s memorable score, tell the unforgettable story of Clara and her Nutcracker Prince as they journey to the Kingdom of the Sweets. It is an enduring tale of childhood innocence, the magic and power of dreams and those who dream them. Kansas City Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker is the one of the largest productions in an eight state region. An estimated 200 area children, who are students in the Kansas City Ballet School, also appear in the production with the 25 Kansas City Ballet professional dancers. Conducted by Kansas City Ballet Music Director Ramona Pansegrau, the Kansas City Symphony Ballet Orchestra will perform Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score. New to the production this year will be the addition of the children’s choir, composed of members of the Kansas City Ballet School. They will be singing in the Act I Snow Scene and then dancing in Act II. “It’s so good for them. They get to see what’s on the other side of the curtain and learn to follow a conductor so it will give them a better appreciation of the entire art form,” said Ms. Pansegrau, who will be conducting the choir. “Not to mention singing with a full orchestra is FUN! I think it will be a great experience for all of them.” The Nutcracker is more than just a holiday tradition for many Kansas City families. This production provides a rare opportunity for local children of the Kansas City Ballet School to perform with professional dancers. Kansas City Ballet School, which offers professional training to 465 children and adults in the community, will provide an estimated 200 children for this production ranging in age from 7 to 18. These young dancers are a critical part of the production as they appear in the Party Scene, the Battle Scene as Mice and Soldiers, and in various roles in the Kingdom of the Sweets. More advanced students join the Company female dancers in the Land of Snow and the Waltz of the Flowers. M&I Bank, Kansas City Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund, Midwest Airlines (Official Airline of Kansas City Ballet), Hotel Phillips (Host Hotel & Restaurant of Kansas City Ballet), and Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City and the ArtsKC Fund are proud supporting sponsors of The Nutcracker. Media Sponsors include The Kansas City Star, KSHB TV 41 Action News, and 98.1 KUDL. Special leadership 50th anniversary support has been provided by the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation. The Nutcracker Cast Reunion Party For more information about the Nutcracker Cast Reunion party please email alumni@kcballet.org with your name, address, phone(s), email, what years you were in The Nutcracker, the roles you played and if you were a company member to receive more information about this special event. Call 816.931.2232 with questions. Sugar and Spice Photographs are offered by Kansas City Ballet School. Have your photograph taken with one of the characters from The Nutcrackerone hour before and immediately after each performance in the lower lobby of The Music Hall. These $5.00 photos benefit the Kansas City Ballet School. The 13th Annual Sugar Plum Fairy Luncheon takes place on Saturday December 1, 2007 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Muehlebach Hotel. The Sugar Plum Fairy Luncheon is a magical event for children of all ages. This event is committed to promoting the arts, Kansas City Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker and raising scholarship funds for the Kansas City Ballet School. Upon arriving, guests will be greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy and the magical kingdom of snow performed by the MidWest Youth Ballet, Alecia Good, Artistic Director. Of course the highlight is a complimentary photo with the Sugar Plum Fairy herself. But there is so much more to experience. Shop the silent auction and enjoy a delicious three-course lunch with dessert. After the Luncheon, guests are off to the Music Hall to watch the 2:00 matinee performance of The Nutcracker. Luncheon tickets may be purchased separately or as a package. For reservations or more information contact Kansas City Ballet Box Office, 816.931.2232 or www.kcballet.org. The Nutcracker Ticket Information. This classic American tradition is expected to be extremely popular and those interested in purchasing tickets are advised to act quickly. Tickets may be purchased by telephone at 816.931.2232, in person at the Kansas City Ballet Box Office located at 1616 Broadway (south of Bartle Hall in downtown Kansas City) or online at www.kcballet.org. Tickets can also be purchased at all Ticketmaster locations or can be ordered by telephone at 816.931.3330 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Visit the Kansas City Ballet website for more information about performance times, pricing and parking at www.kcballet.org. Ticket prices range from $25 to $80, which includes a $5.00 facilities/service fee per ticket. Special Community Pricing Kansas City Ballet also offers a $10 ticket for community service agencies. This very inexpensive price benefits the needy and the elderly of Kansas City who would otherwise never have the opportunity to experience The Nutcracker. Community seats are only offered during specific performances. Call 816.931.2232 for more information. The Nutcracker Special Events Calendar December 1 The Nutcracker opens at 2:00 p.m. The Nutcracker Sat., Dec. 1 – 2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. For marketing/public relations/photographic inquiries please contact: Act I Prologue Act II
The Nutcracker Story and Some Interesting Facts ACT I Herr Drosselmeyer is an inventor and a very mysterious old man. He and his nephew arrive at the party with many gifts, including life-sized dancing dolls. Clara is so thrilled with the dolls that she wants one all to herself, but her mother tells her that magic toys belong to children everywhere and must be shared. Drosselmeyer, seeing Clara’s disappointment, produces another gift – a beautiful wooden Nutcracker carved like a cavalier with a white beard and a mouth wide enough to crack nuts. Clara loves the Nutcracker, but Fritz is jealous of his sister’s gift, grabs it from Clara, and throws it to the floor, breaking it. Drosselmeyer steps in to mend the Nutcracker, while Fritz receives a scolding for his bad behavior. Shortly thereafter, everyone gathers for the Grandfather’s Dance, as the evening comes to an end. The guests then leave one by one, and Clara bids goodnight to her wonderful godfather and his charming nephew, as the lights dim. The parlor is dark and quiet after the party, and Clara slips downstairs to see if her Nutcracker is safe when suddenly – her world changes. She sees giant mice running across the floor, and the Christmas tree grows to fill the entire room. The mice, led by the Mouse King, prepare to attack the Nutcracker and toy soldiers. A terrible battle rages with the cannon booming and rifles cracking. The Nutcracker and the Mouse King duel while the mice carry off toy soldiers. Then, Clara comes to the rescue! She throws her tiny slipper at the Mouse King to distract him so the Nutcracker can attack. The Mouse King falls dead to the floor and his cowardly mice scamper away. The Nutcracker looks for Clara who, in all the excitement, has fallen faint onto the giant toy bed. Magically led by the Nutcracker, the bed begins to move through the starry night. Drosselmeyer suddenly appears from the darkness and waves his magic cape, and in a flash, the wooden Nutcracker is turned into a handsome, young prince. He bows to Clara and places the Mouse King’s crown on her head. The Prince invites her to come with him to his home in the Kingdom of Sweets, as a reward for saving his life. Clara and the Nutcracker Prince find themselves in the middle of a snowy forest ruled by the King and Queen of Snow, on the way to his Kingdom. The King and Queen give Clara and the Prince permission to pass through the snowy forest as they dance through whirling snowflakes. ACT II Three Spanish couples dance a lively waltz, and Arabian-coffee dancers appear. A box of Chinese Tea arrives, and is followed by Trepak-Russian dancers swirling their candy whips. The Dance of the Reed Pipes delights Clara, as do the Buffoons who dance with all of Mother Ginger’s children. Then, a lovely Dew Drop appears and dances a waltz with flowers of every color. Finally, the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier dance the Grand Pas de Deux (dance for two) just for Clara and the Prince. After her adventures in the Candy Kingdom, the brave heroine returns home in spectacular fashion. Clara will always remember this very special holiday. Here is some interesting trivia about The Nutcracker. Did you know?
### Please direct all media inquiries to: Ellen McDonald at 816.444.0052.
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