Madison Ballet Presents The Nutcracker With John DeMain and Members of the Madison Symphony

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kim Straka
608.772.7207 or kim@hypecomm.com

November 22, 2012

Madison Ballet Presents The Nutcracker With John DeMain and Members of the Madison Symphony

(MADISON, WI) Ring in the holiday season with Madison Ballet’s magical production of the world’s most beloved ballet, The Nutcracker. Tchaikovsky’s timeless score, played by members of the Madison Symphony Orchestra under the direction of John DeMain, provides the perfect backdrop to W. Earle Smith’s dynamic choreography.

“We are so happy to welcome Maestro DeMain and the Madison Symphony Orchestra back this year,” says W. Earle Smith, Artistic Director at Madison Ballet. “Live music brings an energy to The Nutcracker that makes it an unforgettable experience for the dancers and the audience. Madison Ballet has a strong commitment to supporting artists from all areas, and we are thrilled to bring musicians and dancers together in our performances to create something truly magical.” adds Smith.

Madison Ballet has established a Live Music Fund to cover the costs of having live music at its performances, and the Board of Directors of Madison Ballet passed a resolution committing its members to 100% participation in the newly established fund. A multi-faceted fundraising campaign is underway to raise $55,000 through mobile gift giving, a Live Music Raffle, and individual contributions. This leg of the campaign will run through the end of the year, and the Live Music Fund will provide ongoing support to ensure live music at future performances.

“Live music is the gift that we love sharing with our community,” says Gretchen Bourg, General Manager of Madison Ballet. “From soloists to ensembles to a full symphony, music is an integral part of the beauty that you see on stage. But support for this fund is critical to ensuring live music continues to be a part of future performances.”

The Nutcracker will run December 14-24, 2013 at the Overture Center for the Arts. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased at the Overture Center Box office.

Madison Ballet was incorporated in 1981 and has made The Nutcracker an annual tradition in this community for the past 32 years. The production features original choreography by Madison Ballet’s artistic director W. Earle Smith and a timeless score by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The holiday classic tells the story of a young girl, Clara, and her favorite Christmas. After receiving a Nutcracker doll from her mysterious godfather, Drosselmeyer, Clara falls asleep under the Christmas tree and is taken on a journey to a magical garden filled with glistening Snowflakes, whimsical Pulcinellas, waltzing flowers, and her Nutcracker, now a handsome prince. Smith’s interpretation of the fairytale highlights Clara’s transformation into a young woman in the first act, more reminiscent of “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” penned by E.T.A. Hoffman in 1816, the story on which the ballet is based.

The Nutcracker Performances:
Overture Hall at Overture Center for the Arts, 201 State St. Madison, WI

Dates and Times:
• Saturday, 12/14, 2013, 2pm and 7:30pm
• Sunday, 12/15, 2013, 2pm
• Saturday, 12/21, 2013, 2pm
• Sunday, 12/22, 2013, 2pm
• Tuesday, 12/24, 2013, 1pm

Tickets: $14 and up

Other events surrounding this year’s performance of The Nutcracker are:
Backstage Beer Bash on Dec. 13 – On the eve of opening night, Madison Ballet throws a laid back get together on the stage in Overture Hall. Take this one of a kind opportunity to see things from the dancers’ perspective! Tickets are $20 and include live music, great beer, and an opportunity to mingle with Madison Ballet’s company dancers.
Out at the Ballet on Dec. 14 – Madison Ballet and Our Lives Magazine host a pre-performance reception, backstage tour and performance of The Nutcracker for the LBGT community.

The Nutcracker Family Brunch on Dec. 15 – A festive brunch for the whole family at Madison Concourse Hotel with special appearances by characters from Madison Ballet’s Nutcracker, a family photo station and holiday activities. Tickets are $35/child; $40/adult

For more information visit www.madisonballet.org/events

Madison Ballet promotes appreciation and access to ballet by providing training and performing opportunities through professionally produced productions and educational initiatives. Located at 160 Westgate Mall, Ste I, Madison, WI, 53711, Madison Ballet is the first professional level training program in South Central Wisconsin and one of the largest performing arts organizations in Wisconsin.

For more information on the Madison Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker, contact Kim Straka at 608.772.7207 or visit www.madisonballet.org.

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