FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT
Rosa Prigan
Communications Manager
rprigan@balletcolaboratory.org
651.313.5967

NOT EVERY CLARA NEEDS A PRINCE: 
NUTCRACKER IN WONDERLAND’S HOLIDAY HEROINE

ST. PAUL, MINN. (November 11, 2021) – This holiday season, Ballet Co.Laboratory presents a traditional classic with an enchanting twist. Nutcracker in Wonderland will be performed on December 11-12, 2021 at Ted Mann Concert Hall on the University of Minnesota campus. A tale for a modern era, this original ballet sparkles with seasonal magic and gives a nod to the progress in our everchanging world. Weaving together storylines and characters from The Nutcracker and Alice in Wonderland, this reimagination of two quintessential tales follows a grown-up Clara on a whimsical adventure of self-discovery.  

With a cast of 100 dancers from the professional Company and School of Ballet Co.Laboratory, this production gives new meaning to the famous Tchaikovsky Nutcracker score. While many characters in Nutcracker in Wonderland will be recognizable to audiences, there is one notable difference – there is no Nutcracker Prince. Instead, there is Alice, a childhood friend of Clara’s who challenges her to live boldly and believe in herself.

Artistic Director and Choreographer Zoé Emilie Henrot believes it is stories like Nutcracker in Wonderland that will begin to change the historical perception of what ballet is and who it is for. While the Nutcracker ballet has long been a holiday tradition, Ballet Co.Laboratory’s production is one of the first full-length versions to remove the racial stereotypes that appear in Act II of the original ballet. There is no trip to the Land of Sweets in this version. Rather, Alice and Clara take on the fierce Rat Queen, waltz through the Land of the Snowflakes, and embark on an adventure through the mysterious Wonderland. 

This production is just one example of the organization’s work to move ballet into the 21st century while developing a new standard for the art form. “The Nutcracker ballet was created in 1892…129 years ago. As a choreographer, it is important to me to create art that imitates life, which means that like life around us, art must continually change as well,” shares Zoé Emilie Henrot. Ballet Co.Laboratory continues to encourage artists and arts patrons to seek out discovery over fear and foster originality over stereotypes. Nutcracker in Wonderland is a prime example of this. Henrot adds, “how much more magical is the art of ballet when we mirror the society we live in? I think that is a tradition to keep alive in the years to come.”

As the curtain rises on this year’s production, audiences will be treated to new characters, expanded scenes, and refreshed choreography. To complete patrons’ holiday experience, Ballet Co.Laboratory will also treat their guests to pre-show carols and a chance to “mingle and jingle” after performances with professional dancers.

Photos
High-resolution photos are available HERE.

Performances
Saturday, December 11 at 2:00pm & 7:00pm
Sunday, December 12 at 2:00pm

Location
Ted Mann Concert Hall, University of Minnesota Campus
2128 4th St S, Minneapolis MN 55455

Tickets
Tickets begin at $22 and are available for purchase online at balletcolaboratory.org/season or by contacting the Ballet Co.Laboratory Box Office at 651.313.5967.

All guests will be required to wear a mask at this event. 

About Ballet Co.Laboratory

Ballet Co.Laboratory is a professional ballet company and school that honors the foundations of classical ballet while moving the art form forward by collaborating with the community and advancing equity in the art form. Established in 2018, BCL company dancers, students, and staff use the universal language and transformative power of dance to connect humanity, nurture artists, and inspire our community.

For more information on Ballet Co.Laboratory and our programs, visit balletcolaboratory.org.

To get a sneak peek behind the curtain, visit BCL’s social media platforms on Facebook and Instagram.

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Ballet Co.Laboratory would love the opportunity to share our unique take on the classic Nutcracker with you and your audience. We can bring artists to you, or join us in-studio! There are dancers to meet, costumes to see, and possibly a step or two to try. We can't wait to create an amazing story with you.