Media Contact:

Jessica Petrie

651-282-3113

jpetrie@ordway.org

ST. PAUL, Minn. (Oct. 28, 2015) — Ordway Center for the Performing Arts announced today it will present The Hip Hop Nutcracker, Nov. 24-25. The show comes to the Ordway on its first international tour, shortly after sold-out performances in New Jersey and New York. Tickets for The Hip Hop Nutcracker range from $25–$90 and can be purchased online at www.ordway.org, by phone at 651-224-4222 or in-person at the Ordway ticket office.

A holiday mash-up for the entire family, The Hip Hop Nutcracker reimagines Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet through explosive hip hop choreography, an onstage DJ and a cast of a dozen all-star dancers. Kurtis Blow, one of the original founders and creators of recorded rap music, will appear as the special guest MC, while digital scenery transforms the original story of a sugarplum palace into 1980s Brooklyn. With remixed and reimagined hip hop interludes by DJ Boo and an on-stage electric violinist, The Hip Hop Nutcracker celebrates love, community and the magic of the holiday season.

Produced by the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, the tour of The Hip Hop Nutcracker is directed and choreographed by Jennifer Weber, artistic director of the all-female, Brooklyn-based hip hop crew Decadancetheatre. The story has been adapted to modern New York City by Mike Fitelson, executive director of United Palace of Cultural Arts, the work’s original producer.

The cast includes Ann Sylvia Clark as Maria, Gabriel Alvarez as The Nutcracker, Myriam Gadri as Mom, Alain “Hurrikane” Lauture as Dad, and Miki Michelle as Drosselmeyer. Rounding out the cast are Lucile “Frak” Graciano, Taeko Koji, Sophia Lavonne, Derek Matterson, Frankie Rodriguez and Brandon Rosario. The creative team includes Taeko Koji (associate director/choreographer), Andrew Diaz (set), Whitney Anne Adams (costumes), Burke Wilmore (lighting) and Moe Shahrooz (video design).

For tickets and more information, visit www.ordway.org.

ABOUT THE ORDWAY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

The Ordway is widely recognized as one of the nation’s leading nonprofit performing arts centers and Saint Paul’s most elegant and inviting performance space. The Ordway’s Music Theater and recently completed Concert Hall attract diverse audiences with an array of productions showcasing the finest in American musical theater, world music, dance and vocal performance. Education and community engagement are integral to the Ordway’s mission, with major initiatives including the annual Flint Hills International Children’s Festival and Ordway Education programs that serve more than 50,000 students annually. The Ordway also serves as authorizer for the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, a charter high school with a professionally guided academic and artistic environment that trains aspiring pre-professional performing artists. Together with the Minnesota Opera, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and The Schubert Club, the Ordway is a member of the Arts Partnership and serves as the principal venue for their performances. For more information, visit www.ordway.org.

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts — 30 years of presenting, producing and investing in the performing arts.

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QUICK REFERENCE

Production: The Hip Hop Nutcracker

with special guest MC Kurtis Blow

Dates: Nov. 24-25, 2015

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Theater Venue Ordway Center for the Performing Arts

& Location: 345 Washington Street
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55102

Tickets: www.ordway.org
Ticket Office: 651-224-4222
Groups: 651-282-3111

Price: $25-$90, subject to change

Media Contact: Jessica Petrie

651-282-3113

jpetrie@ordway.org

Artwork for download: ordway.org/media