Oklahoma City, OK, November 14, 2023: Oklahoma City Ballet will present the holiday classic, The Nutcracker, presented by Devon Energy, December 8-18 at the Civic Center Music Hall. In addition to the ten performances featuring live music from OKCPHIL and Canterbury Voices, Oklahoma City Ballet will present a sensory-friendly performance on December 18.
Artistic Director Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye wowed audiences last December with his fun and fresh updates to this family-friendly favorite, all which will return for another year. More than 100 students from the Oklahoma City Ballet Yvonne Chouteau School will accompany the professional dancers.
“The Nutcracker is a cherished holiday tradition for families from across Oklahoma,” said Jolicoeur-Nye. “With last season’s all new choreography, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, and the beloved artists of Oklahoma City Ballet, you will not want to miss this year’s production. Full of comedy, virtuosic dancing, giant mice, and a little magic, our production will touch the hearts of the young and the old alike. Plus, you never know when things could be freshened up again, so please bring the whole family and join us in celebrating this joyous time of year.”
Single tickets start at $35 and are available now through Oklahoma City Ballet and Civic Center Box offices. They are also available online at www.okcballet.org.
In partnership with AutismOklahoma, the sensory-friendly performance of The Nutcracker will take place Monday, December 18 at 6:00. Sensory-friendly performances are for children and adults with sensory sensitivities or for anyone who may benefit from being in a more relaxed environment. Changes to this performance will include: no live music and lower volume for recorded music; adjusted house lighting; no pyrotechnics or strobe lights; and very relaxed theater rules, allowing guests to use electronic devices, talk, and leave their seats as needed. Tickets to this performance are deeply discounted, and on sale now by calling (405) 848-TOES or at www.okcballet.org.
Additionally, Oklahoma City Ballet will host The Nutcracker Tea, a family-friendly fundraiser benefitting community engagement programs. Guests can purchase separate tickets for this event to enjoy treats, photos with their favorite Nutcracker characters, crafts, a special performance, and more. The Nutcracker Tea will be held in the Meinders Hall of Mirrors at the Civic Center Music Hall on Saturday, December 16, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tickets to “The Nutcracker Tea” are $50 and will go on sale November 15. Sponsorships are available now by calling 405-843-9898 or at okcballet.org.
One hour prior to each performance, the north lobby will open for guests to shop at The Nutcracker Boutique, featuring more than 70 different nutcrackers, holiday gifts, and Oklahoma City Ballet merchandise. The lobby will also include an interactive photo booth.
“We are thrilled to present eleven performances this season thanks to the support of Devon Energy,” said Jo Lynne Jones, the John Kirkpatrick Executive Director. “With Tchaikovsky's iconic score and the artistry of the dancers, The Nutcracker is a wonderful way to get into the holiday spirit and experience the magic of live ballet.”
Performances of The Nutcracker will take place on Friday, Dec. 8 at 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 9 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 10 at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 15 at 7:00
p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 16 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 17 at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. with the sensory-friendly version on Monday, Dec. 18 at 6:00 p.m. Tickets may be purchased by calling Oklahoma City Ballet 405-848-TOES (8637), 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. The Oklahoma City Ballet Box Office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is located at 6800 North Classen Blvd., Oklahoma City.
Season tickets are also on sale. For more information, tickets, and list of available performances, call 405-838-TOES (8637), visit okcballet.org, or follow Oklahoma City Ballet on social media @okcballet.