Dances Patrelle's THE YORKVILLE NUTCRACKER Set To Open The Holiday Season At Barnes And Noble 11/15

Dances Patrelle's holiday classic, "The Yorkville Nutcracker" will open up the holiday season on Sunday, November 15th, at 4pm, at the new Barnes & Noble (86th and Lexington Avenue). Enjoy a preview of some this year's cast in full costume, with choreography created just for the event; as well as footage from the past thirteen years. Choreographer Francis Patrelle and Leda Meredith will be discussing the history of the production and Justin Allen will moderate the presentation. Plus, Leda and Justin will be signing books, with a part of the proceeds of which Barnes & Noble will graciously donate to Dances Patrelle. This special event is Free and open to the general public.

DANCES PATRELLE's "THE YORKVILLE NUTCRACKER" will have its 14th annual production, at The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College (68th Street between Park & Lexington Avenues) NYC; December 10th - 13th. Once again The Yorkville Nutcracker will have students from: Ballet Academy East, Studio Maestro, The Ailey School and 92nd St Y Harkness Dance Center. The two-act ballet, has been choreographed by Artistic Director, Francis Patrelle. It has set design by Gillian Bradshaw-Smiths, costumes by Rita B. Watson, and lighting by David Grill. The cast will feature special guest artists to be announced later. (artists subject to change)

"THE YORKVILLE NUTCRACKER" begins on a snowy Christmas Eve in 1895 and New York City's newly elected mayor William L. Strong is hosting a party at Gracie Mansion for his children, Mary and Putnam. Among those attending this special holiday celebration are dignitaries and businessmen from foreign nations, the owners of the mansion - the Babcock's - and NYC Police Commissioner Teddy Roosevelt. As a Christmas present from her uncle, Mary receives her beloved Nutcracker, which later at the party her brother breaks. The distraught Mary Falls asleep and in her dreams, the Nutcracker is saved. The two of them share an adventure in which they delight in a magical sleigh ride leading them to the frozen lake in Central Park. There the Snow King and Queen ice skate as the lights of the Dakota apartment building shine brightly in the night sky.

Act II commences with Mary and Putnam with the Snow Queen being transported to the Crystal Palace at the Bronx Botanical Gardens where they are presented as heroes to the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Kingdom of the Sweets. Dances are performed to remind the audience of the various nationalities of the guests at Mayor Strong's party - Spanish, Arabian, Chinese, Russian, French and Dutch. The dancing culminates in a Grand Pas de Deux by the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. On Christmas morning the children awake from their dreams and exchange gifts back at Gracie Mansion.

The Babcocks, the International Consul Generals and their families and Noah Wheaton, uncle of the Babcocks, are all historically accurate. Artistic Director Francis Patrelle portrays Teddy Roosevelt, then New York City's police commissioner.