Everything old is new again. Tchaikovsky’s
129-year-old ballet is reimagined as a holiday dance spectacle in The
Hip Hop Nutcracker, arriving at The Florida Theatre on December
12, 2021 at 7 p.m.
The production features hip hop pioneer Kurtis “The
Breaks” Blow, the first rapper to be signed by a major label in 1979.
42 years and a heart transplant later, this hip-hop founding
father is still performing as MC of The Hip Hop Nutcracker. Kurtis
Blow is the music pioneer who created “Christmas Rappin’” and “The Breaks” and
he’s hitting the road this holiday season. Preview the action HERE.
A cast of a dozen all-star dancers, an on-stage DJ and an electric violinist
turn the beloved score on its head. The 31-city tour kicks off in San Diego,
California on November 6, 2021 before stops in Oakland, St. Louis, Miami,
Atlanta, New York City, and Boston.
“Through the isolation of the pandemic and for me, personally, the gift of
receiving a new heart, it is time to hope again,” says Kurtis Walker, known
professionally as Kurtis Blow. “And the season of hope is Christmas.” On
December 6, 2020, he had a heart transplant that has given him a new life.
Blow has paved the way for generations of hip-hop artists and fans after
scoring the first certified gold record rap song in 1980, “The Breaks.” He was
also the first rapper to sign to a major label. Blow is also responsible for
“Christmas Rappin’, the perennial first rap holiday song.
“It’s incredible for me to meet fans, and their kids, and their kids’ kids
who love hip hop music,” says Blow. “It reminds me of how The Nutcracker brings
people of all ages together too. I hope everyone makes holiday memories for a
lifetime when they come to our show.”
Just like the classic Nutcracker story, in The Hip Hop Nutcracker Maria-Clara
and the Nutcracker prince go on a dream adventure battling a gang of mice,
visiting the land of sweets and learning the lessons of the holiday season.
Innovative digital graffiti and visuals transform the landscape of E.T.A.
Hoffmann’s beloved story from traditional 19th Century Germany to the vibrant,
diverse sights and sounds of a colorful and contemporary New York City. Through
the modern, self-expressive gaze of hip-hop culture, the dynamic performers of The
Hip Hop Nutcracker celebrate the magic of the entire holiday season on the
most inclusive holiday of them all - New Year’s Eve, a time for new beginnings.
For more information about The Hip Hop Nutcracker,
visit Website.
Follow The Hip Hop Nutcracker on Facebook,
Instagram
(@hiphopnutcracker), and YouTube;
#HipHopNutcracker.
The historic, nonprofit Florida Theatre is sponsored by Community First Credit
Union. For a complete list of upcoming events or to buy tickets visit the
Theatre’s official website, floridatheatre.com.
“Hip
Hop Nutcracker”
DATE: Sun., Dec. 12, 2021
TIME: 7 p.m.
TICKETS: $37.50 – $59.50
LOCATION: The Florida Theatre
128
East Forsyth Street.
Jacksonville, FL
32202
(904) 355 - ARTS
(2787)
The Hip Hop Nutcracker, a contemporary dance spectacle
set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless music, is available to stream for Jacksonville
audiences this holiday season. The live capture, filmed as a part of a
partnership with PBS, will allow recurring and new patrons to experience this
beloved holiday tradition at home, as theaters across the country remain
closed.
Hip Hop Nutcracker - School Edition Performance Dates: December 3 - 17, 2020
Ticket Link: FSCJ Artist Series School Performances.
Hip Hop Nutcracker - Public Livestream Performance Dates:
December 18, 2020, at 8 p.m.; December 19, 2020, at 8 p.m.; December 20, 2020,
at 3 p.m.
Ticket Link: FSCJ Artist Public-Livestream Performances.
Directed and choreographed by Olivier-nominated Jennifer Weber, The Hip Hop
Nutcracker is a contemporary dance spectacle set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless
music. A unique and joyful event, this evening length production is performed
by a supercharged cast of a dozen all-star dancers, a DJ, a violinist, and MC
Kurtis Blow, one of hip hop’s founding fathers, who opens the show with a short
set. The show is produced by the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) with
Executive Producer, Eva Price, and co-commissioned by the United Palace of
Cultural Arts.
Preview the action HERE
in this video.
"We're thrilled to be able to bring our show to new audiences as well
as to those who have made The Hip Hop Nutcracker a holiday tradition," said
NJPAC Producer David Rodriguez. "This year, not only will audiences
experience the magic of The Hip Hop Nutcracker, but do so in their own homes.”
“While I’m saddened we can’t take The Hip Hop Nutcracker on the road this
year, I’m thrilled we’re able to find a way to bring this show to audiences
around the country for the seventh consecutive season,” says Executive
Producer and Tony Award winner Eva Price. “This will be a holiday season
unlike any other. I’m so glad we’ll have this comforting, inspiring and
inclusive tradition to provide much-need and well-earned joy.”
Just like the original, in The Hip Hop Nutcracker, Maria-Clara and the
Nutcracker Prince go on a dream adventure battling a gang of mice, visiting the
land of sweets and learning the lessons of the holiday season. Innovative
digital graffiti and visuals transform the landscape of E.T.A. Hoffmann’s
beloved story from traditional 19th Century Germany to the vibrant, diverse
sights and sounds of contemporary New York City. Through this re-mixed and
re-imagined version of the classic, the dynamic performers of The Hip Hop
Nutcracker take us on a journey that celebrates love, community and the magic
of the holiday season.
Hip Hop Nutcracker - School Edition Tickets for The Hip Hop Nutcracker - School
edition start at $6 per individual.
The Hip Hop Nutcracker virtual program includes: A full-length performance
video, an educational guide that provides literacy and history lessons as well
as activities for your students & a pre-recorded Q&A with creator
Jennifer Weber.
Ticket Link: fscjartistseries.org/hip-hop-nutcracker-school-edition Hip Hop
Nutcracker - Public Livestream General Admission tickets for THE HIP HOP
NUTCRACKER start at $20.
VIP Access Package available for purchase starting at $50: Includes Livestream
performance plus Live Talkback following the performance, Video On Demand
access, & autographed show poster.
Ticket Link: FSCJ Artist Series Tickets Hip - Hop Nutcracker, Public Livestream.
