A Jazzy Nutcracker
WHEN: December 6th at 2 PM & 7 PM
WHERE: South Orange Performing Arts Center, One SOPAC Way (behind the train station), South Orange
TICKETS: $30 adults, $15 children
www.sopacnow.org
WHEN: December 12th at 7 PM and 13th at 1 PM and 4:30 PM
WHERE: Monroe High School Performing Arts Center, 200 Schoolhouse Road
Monroe Township
TICKETS: $30, $22 senior, $15 student
www.ajazzynutcracker.com
The Nutcracker also features a special Santa’s Luncheon at 3:00 PM on December 13th at Monroe High School Performing Arts Center with holiday treats, a visit from Santa, and appearances by costumed characters from the production. Tickets for Santa’s Luncheon are sold separately, also at www.ajazzynutcracker.com. For more information visit www.lustigdancetheatre.org.
With an original score inspired by familiar melodies, a live jazz band, wonderfully colorful sets and costumes, Lustig Dance Theatre professional dancers bring holiday spirit alive in this second annual original production of Graham Lustig’s A Jazzy Nutcracker.
A Jazzy Nutcracker presents a Christmas celebration, set in the 1960s, featuring a space-age battle scene, a winter wonderland skating rink and a magical night spent discovering the secrets of “Drosselmeyer’s” department store. A quintessential appearance from Santa Claus adds to the holiday spirit and completes this whimsical spin on the beloved Christmas production. The performance concludes with a proper ballet finale complete with tutus and pointe shoes to the delight of even fans of classical ballet.
Lustig Dance Theatre’s professional company of dancers is accompanied by select students from LDT's Dance & Wellness Studio and dance students from across the state. A Jazzy Nutcracker is based on Tchaikovsky’s original composition and interlaced with other seasonal melodies producing an entirely original score composed by Rutgers University’s Professor Paul Undreiner and performed by a live jazz band.
After so many years paying respect to the long-held Nutcracker traditions, Creative Director, Graham Lustig, is elated to be realizing his latest vision of the story: “Growing up in London in the 1960’s was an exciting and energetic era—one full of possibilities and promise. The fashion and music scenes were exploding with invention, jazz was thriving, the prospect of space travel held everyone’s imagination. My choreographic journey for this project begins with a great fondness for this unique decade.”
Lustig Dance Theatre’s (LDT) mission is to be a vibrant, dynamic organization that awakens the love of dance by performing and educating. LDT, a non-profit organization, was established in 2010 by internationally recognized choreographer and teacher, Graham Lustig. The LDT professional company performs at major venues statewide and executes a comprehensive roster of educational programs for schools and community groups. The LDT Dance and Wellness Studio offers classes for all ages and abilities in ballet, hip hop, Pilates, modern, contemporary jazz, Zumba, creative dance, tap and more. Students present an annual year-end performance and have the opportunity to join the LDT Ensemble, a youth performing group. For more information, please visit www.lustigdancetheatre.org. Lustig Dance Theatre is located at 80 Albany Street, 2nd Floor, in New Brunswick at the corner of Albany and Neilson Streets.
