Oklahoma City Ballet is excited to start their 2020/21 Season with The Nutcracker: Short & Sweet presented by Devon Energy at Civic Center Music Hall, December 12-20, 2020 for an 8-show performance run. This beloved holiday classic, choreographed by Artistic Director Robert Mills, will be shortened to one act but will still include favorites like the dancing snowflakes and the colorful characters from the Kingdom of Sweets.

Single tickets start at $30 and are available now through Oklahoma City Ballet and Civic Center Box offices.  They are also available online at www.okcballet.org.

“While this is a shorter version of what we usually present, it is also a great opportunity for ballet newcomers or young children to experience their first ballet under one hour,” said Artistic Director Robert Mills.

Oklahoma City Ballet is encouraging patrons to be aware of the safety policies at the Civic Center Music Hall performance.  Guests are required to wear a mask indoors, get a temperature check at the door, social distance in the venue, and sanitize hands properly. Because of social distancing mandates, the theater will be at approximately 35% capacity, therefore tickets are very limited.

This year’s version of The Nutcracker was shortened to one act as a safety precaution, a trend that performing arts groups across the nation are adopting. A one-hour production means no intermissions, no long bathroom or concession lines, and plenty of time to exit the theater in an organized fashion.

Oklahoma City Ballet’s dancers have been rehearsing and will be performing in two separate groups, completely separate from each other since they began their season in October. All dancers on stage will wear masks, and for the first time ever, no children will be included in the cast. “We have had to make some changes this year but we are doing everything for the safety of our dancers and patrons. We are thrilled to be able to perform at all, so a few sacrifices here and there are worth it,” says Mills.

For those who are more comfortable watching from home, Oklahoma City Ballet will offer “Virtually Nuts,” a video on demand experience that will include backstage footage, special features, dancer interviews, and footage from this year’s performance at the Civic Center. “Virtually Nuts” will go on sale on November 16 for $50 and the video will be available to watch on December 15. Rather than a live stream, the video on demand option will allow viewers to pause, fast forward, rewind, and watch as many times as they like through December 31.

The Nutcracker tells the story of Clara, who receives a beautiful handmade wooden Nutcracker from the quirky Herr Drosselmeyer at a Christmas Eve party. That night, Clara sneaks downstairs to play with her new Nutcracker and is swept away to a fantasyland of toy soldiers, giant mice, and dancing snowflakes. After saving her beloved Nutcracker from the Evil Mouse King, she is whisked away to the enchanted Kingdom of Sweets and Toys, where she is treated to performances by fanciful dancing confections and toys, including the Sugar Plum Fairy. 

Performances take place on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 13 at 2 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 20 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Single tickets may be purchased by calling Oklahoma City Ballet 405-848-TOES (8637) or online at www.okcballet.org or by calling the Civic Center Box office at 405-297-2264.  All performances take place at the Civic Center Music Hall, 201 North Walker, Oklahoma City. 

 

For a more information, tickets and list of available performances, call 405-838-TOES (8637) or visit okcballet.org