Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida Continues to Celebrate the Favorite Holiday Tradition: The Nutcracker

Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida Continues to Celebrate the Favorite Holiday Tradition: The Nutcracker December 8 - 22, 2013 Photos by JoeyG photography

Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida will, once again embark on a journey to the Land of the Sweets, as they perform the traditional annual audience favorite, The Nutcracker. This is the most popular holiday story ever performed in the US. It tells the tale of a young girl, Clara, on Christmas Eve and the adventure she undertakes when her most cherished Christmas present, a nutcracker, comes to life. Together they battle the Mouse King, meet the Queen of Snow and travel to the Land of Sweets, where they encounter the always classic, Sugarplum Fairy. Company members of Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida are getting ready to this year's performances of The Nutcracker and are proud to give life to the roles of the Sugarplum Fairy and her cavalier, the Nutcracker Prince, the Marzipan dance, the Snow Queen and all the wonderful characters that light up the eyes of all ages of South Florida audiences during the holiday season. Vladimir Issaev's holiday tradition will be presented in three magnificent venues: the Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater, the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center and The Parker Playhouse of Fort Lauderdale. Issaev's engaging choreography preserves the Russian tradition, with music of P.I. Tchaikovsky, yet serves as an alternative to those who already have seen Balanchine's version. Every year the production is enhanced, adding special effects like falling snow and a growing Christmas tree, which enchant children and adults, making each year a new experience for returning audiences. The principal roles in The Nutcracker will be commanded by Arts Ballet's own delightful international treats - Jun Tanabe, Kaori Fukui, Yukina Yasuhara, Moka Maihara, Hirohito Ikeuchi and Takayuki Asai from Japan, Breeana Flannery from Australia, Lillian Hill of Ft. Lauderdale, Remi Lartigue from France, DeeDee Rosner from North Carolina, Lusian Hernandez from Venezuela, Eileen Pualuan and Hernan Montenegro from Chile with additional dancers from Cuba, Argentina, and Venezuela completing the rest of the cast. Be Part of the Magic! The Opening Gala performance takes place at the Fillmore/Gleason, which celebrate the company's sixteen years of making holiday magic. For VIP Patrons, the December 8th Gala will begin at 6:30 pm, with cocktails and hors Hors d'oeuvres, a reception with the international corps of dancers, and chances to bid on silent auction items that range from donations from Tiffany's, to weekend getaways and art pieces, followed by the grand opening performance of the holiday season. Thanks to our patrons, Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida has been bringing affordable and high quality ballet to South Florida! Engage in the holiday gift loved ones will always cherish. Don't miss the opportunity to share the excitement and charm of the great tradition of the holidays with Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida during their extraordinary performances of The Nutcracker. The Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater 1700 Washington Avenue Miami Beach, FL 33139 Sunday, December 8, 2013, 7:30 p.m. (VIP Gala at 6:30 pm) Tickets: $100.50 (VIP), $47.50 - $52.50 Phone: 305.673.7300 www.FillmoreMB.com Aventura Arts & Cultural Center 3385 NE 188th street Aventura, FL 33180 Friday, December 13, 2013, 7:00 p.m. Saturday, December 14, 2013, 7:00 p.m. Sunday, December 15, 2013, 3:00 p.m. Tickets: $35 Phone: 954.462.0222 www.aventuracenter.org Parker Playhouse 707 NE 8th Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 Saturday, December 21, 2013, 7:00 p.m. Sunday, December 22, 2013, 3:00 p.m. Tickets: $15 to $35 Phone: 954.462.0222 www.ParkerPlayhouse.com Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida receives funding from Miami Dade County Dept. of Cultural Affairs, Broward County Cultural Division, Florida Division of Cultural Affairs, Miami Salon Group, Funding Arts Broward, Citizens Interested in Arts, Target and Marlin Foundation, The Miami Children's Trust to support a professional season of performances and community outreach events in Miami-Dade County for the 2013-2014 season. Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida Ph: 305.948.4777 www.artsballettheatre.org Facebook Twitter For more information about local events, please visit www.miamiartguide.com