A Visually Transformed Nutcracker Presented by the Rochester City Ballet and RPO

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Rochester City Ballet (RCB) — under the artistic direction of Jamey Leverett — and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) conducted by Principal Conductor for Education and Outreach, Michael Butterman (The Louise and Henry Epstein Family Chair) will collaborate once again with the Nazareth College Bach Children’s Chorus to bring The Nutcracker to Rochester.  Performances of this much-loved holiday ballet will take place on Friday, November 24, through Sunday, November 26, 2006, with two shows each day at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m at the Eastman Theatre, 60 Gibbs St.

This year the RCB continues its ongoing transformation of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet with eye-catching new costumes.  This season’s production will feature a stunning new party dress for “Clara,” redesigned “Archangel” and Holly Sprite costumes, and dazzling new costumes for “The Nutcracker Prince,”  “Mouse King,” Toy Soldiers and Mice, giving distinct personalities to these characters.  The new costumes are due in great part to a $50,000 grant secured by Senator Jim Alesi as part of a major gift initiative for RCB’s new Nutcracker sets and costumes.

Sarah Lane, current American Ballet Theatre (ABT) company member, and Diana Catalina Gomez, a member of the Ballet Gamonet, will share the role of the “Sugar Plum Fairy.” Luis Ribagorda, also of ABT, and Andres Felipe Figueroa of the Ballet Gamonet will dance the role of “Cavalier.”  Tetsushi Segawa, a current member of Les Ballets Grandiva, will dance the lead Chinese role as well as the role of “Harlequin.”

Tickets for The Nutcracker may be purchased online at www.rpo.org, at the RPO Box Office, 108 East Avenue, or by phone at 585-454-2100, or at any Wegmans Video Department. Ticket prices range from $26 – $60. In response to customer requests, ticket buyers can save 20% on children’s tickets and 10% on adult tickets with their Wegmans Shoppers Club Card.  For more information visit the RPO online at www.rpo.org.

The Nutcracker performances are sponsored by Caldwell Manufacturing Company, Constellation Brands and Macy’s.

Now in its 84th season, the RPO inspires and enriches the community through the art of music.  The Orchestra is passionately dedicated to outstanding musical performance at the highest artistic levels, and has a unique tradition of musical versatility, commitment to music education in the broadest sense and a deep and enduring engagement with the community.  The RPO has been honored with the New York Governor’s Arts Award, and two ASCAP awards for adventurous programming in recent years.

The Rochester City Ballet (RCB), founded in 1987, is a non-profit, educational corporation. The Company presents a full season of quality dance to diverse audiences and helps keep the arts alive by presenting performances to educate and entertain adults and children at community events and special RCB performances.  The RCB has created at least 20 new ballets including Firebird, Don Quixote, Cinderella and the annual Nutcracker. 

Note:  Photos of Rochester City Ballet company members in the roles of “Clara,” “Russian Trepak,” “Italian Ice,” “Arabian,” “Snow” and “Flowers” are available upon request.