Mateo's 25th Anniversary Production of THE NUTCRACKER Opens 11/24

Rediscover 25 years of magic in José Mateo Ballet Theatre's 25th Anniversary production of The Nutcracker, November 24-December 24, 2012. This Holiday Season Mateo's timeless classic returns to The Duxbury Performing Arts Center (November 24-25), the Company's Sanctuary Theatre in Harvard Square, Cambridge (December 1-16), and The Strand Theater in Dorchester (December 22-24).

Over 10,000 audience members will experience José Mateo Ballet Theatre's 25th Anniversary Nutcracker Tour. The production returns to Duxbury for the eight consecutive season where the organization also runs a satellite school at the Ellison Center for the Arts. Mateo brings his Nutcracker back to the Company's home theater at The Sanctuary Theatre in Harvard Square with a specially installed seating system for up to 250 that offers an intimate, close-up Nutcracker experience. For the second season, Mateo's Nutcracker returns to Dorchester 's vibrant Strand Theatre. With support from Mayor Menino & the Mayor's Office of Arts, Tourism, and Special Events, and The Boston Globe Santa, JMBT is working with 45 local social service agencies to provide 1,000 FREE Nutcracker tickets to children and families most in need. JMBT is committed to deepening its relationship with the Greater Dorchester community through the exceptional arts experiences the rejuvenated Strand Theatre provides.

Choreographed by Artistic Director José Mateo, and inspired by Tchaikovsky's glorious score, Mateo's 'Nutcracker' brings Clara's dream world to life with festive sets, sumptuous costumes, and spectacular dancing. Over 200 children, ages 6-18 from throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire, join Ballet Theatre's acclaimed company dancers as Party Children, Mice, Soldiers, Polichinelles, Cherubs, Angels and the lead child role of Clara. It is the only professional Nutcracker production in the area to hold open auditions for students outside of its own school.

The Boston Globe is the official media sponsor of José Mateo Ballet Theatre's 2012 Nutcracker Tour which is also sponsored, in part by, the Massachusetts Cultural Council. JMBT and its Nutcracker performances at The Strand were recently selected by The Boston Foundation to partner in their work to create a cultural corridor in Dorchester's Upham's Corner.

Photo Credit: GarySloan.com