Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre presents The Nutcracker and The Mouse King on December 1st at 7:30 pm as well as December 2nd at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm.
Expect the brilliantly unexpected from Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre’s (ACDT) fourth annual performance of The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. ACDT shocked and surprised audiences last year with their original version of The Nutcracker. Though The Nutcracker might be the world’s most famous ballet, if it is being performed by ACDT you can guarantee it is something you haven’t seen before. Their version couldn’t be farther from Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet. It is based on the original and much darker story written in 1816 by German author E.T.A. Hoffmann.
“I always want to go back to the original work” artistic co- director Collard says. “The characters and the story are always so much more interesting.” Take for example the King and Queen of Sausages who surprised and delighted last year’s audience with delightful humor and the party guests wrapped in gorgeous costumes dancing a wild and wonderful polka. And then there is the famous Mouse King and his lovely wife and their numerous children creating havoc all over the ballet with magical aerialists flying over head creating a surrealism to visually delight all ages.
This year’s performance features the ACDT adult company, White Dog ProjectX International, and the students of New Studio of Dance. With typical ACDT flair, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King will again prove to be a wonderful Christmas story full of adventure, courage and loyalty where love comes alive in a spectacular modern dance experience.
Tickets are $28 for adults, $20 for children and students, and $23 for seniors. Tickets are available at the Diana Wortham Theatre box office, by phone at (828) 257-4530, or online at dwtheatre.com. For additional information visit acdt.org.