Hyde Park School of Dance's The Nutcracker
HPSD’s spin on the holiday classic features more than classical ballet. Founding Artistic Director August Tye, longtime ballet mistress for Lyric Opera of Chicago, and 11 choreographers integrate hip hop, breakdancing, modern, West African, and Chinese dance, with narration throughout the 75 minutes and additional genres such as tap and acro dance. New this year is an imaginative scene of Clara’s nightmare. A highlight each year, the crowd-favorite battle scene sends a message of peace: Instead of battling with swords, mice and soldiers tap into the power of hip hop and breakdancing to work out their differences through creative self-expression. The production also includes surprise cameos by local VIPs in the larger-than-life role of Mother Ginger.
“Our Nutcracker is always evolving, bringing fresh choreography and styles to the stage every year—something you won’t find in most Nutcracker productions,” said Tye. “I’m thrilled to be choreographing a brand-new section, Clara’s Nightmare, which lets us explore contemporary dance within the traditional story. This year, we’re blending ballet, hip hop, West African, and so much more, making this a vibrant, inclusive show for everyone in Chicago. It’s truly a Nutcracker for our entire community.”
Event Links
Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/2742543-0
