New England’s Favorite Holiday Tradition Presented November 23 – December 30, 2012

Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker Features All-New Sets and Costumes

By Award-Winning Designer Robert Perdziola

Sharon residents Eleanor Berkenblit, Isabel Berkenblit, Jessica Brown, Riley Johnson and Emma Olshin will be performing in Boston Ballet’s debut production of Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker in the roles of Urchin, Page, Lamb, Reindeer and Polichinelle, respectively.  Eleanor, Isabel, Jessica, Riley and Emma, ranging from 8 to 10 years old, have each been students at Boston Ballet School for several years. All 43 performances of The Nutcracker will take place at The Boston Opera House, running November 23-December 30, 2012. This season’s production is presented by State Street Corporation.

These Sharon girls join more than 270 other young dancers from around New England cast in The Nutcracker.  Three different casts will take on the roles of toy soldiers, pages, polichinelles, baby mice, and party children during Boston Ballet's 43 performances of The Nutcracker.

Boston Ballet School students have been a vital part of celebrating the holiday season with the magic of The Nutcracker for over 44 years. Boston Ballet's 2012 production showcases the talents of Boston Ballet’s company dancers and features all-new costumes and sets.

Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen commissioned Robert Perdziola to design the immaculate new sets and a total of nearly 350 new costumes. Perdziola illustrated over 40 sketches that have been brought to life over the past year. The previous production, which the Company featured for 17 years, was set in 1835 during the Biedermeier period. Nissinen and Perdziola brought the new production back 20 years, to what many know as the Jane Austen era. “What we’ve done is create a Wizard of Oz effect for Clara,” said Robert Perdziola. “The Act I party scene features calm, muted colors that celebrate the understated elegance of the Regency style. When we enter Clara’s dream in Act II, we are met with a burst of vibrant color in the sets and costumes.” The new sets have been custom painted to match each of Perdziola’s exquisite scene drawings.

Students of Boston Ballet School in The Nutcracker were hailed by The Boston Globe as “adorable, focused and disciplined” handling serious pattern and partner work with “impressive aplomb.” All children performing in The Nutcracker are students of Boston Ballet School and coached by an experienced staff including Boston Ballet Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen, Boston Ballet School’s Director Margaret Tracey, Ballet Mistress Melanie Atkins and Boston Ballet School’s world-renowned faculty.  Students have an exciting schedule through the months of October, November, and December, which includes rehearsals with company dancers, costume fittings, experiencing the unique, backstage atmosphere at The Boston Opera House, and numerous performances accompanied by Boston Ballet Orchestra and enthusiastic audiences.

Participating in a full-length ballet is an important performance opportunity for students, exposing them to aspects of ballet they don't experience in a regular class. The students learn about the hard work and enjoyment that composes a live ballet performance and have the unique opportunity to dance alongside Boston Ballet’s internationally acclaimed company dancers.

Boston Ballet School is the largest ballet school in North America now operating studios in Boston, Newton, and Marblehead and other programs throughout New England. Over 10,000 students participate in Boston Ballet School’s year-round, summer, adult, and outreach programs each year.

For more information about The Nutcracker including Nutcracker events around Boston, Nutcracker blogs, videos and images of the production visit www.bostonballet.org