Looking to get your whole family in the holiday spirit? We’ve got you covered. See Nashville’s Nutcracker at TPAC! Hailed as “one of Nashville’s favorite holiday events” by StyleBlueprint, this magical experience includes live music, photo ops, and free story times led by Nashville Ballet Teaching Artists, plus so much more. Sponsored in part by the Tennessee Titans.
Nashville Ballet is thrilled to work alongside esteemed local musicians at the Nashville Symphony, Nashville Opera, and Vanderbilt University Blair School of Music to provide live music for every production of Nashville’s Nutcracker, coming to TPAC’s Jackson Hall this December 15th through 24th, 2021. Concept, story treatment, and choreography are by Paul Vasterling; Music composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
The greatest gift to give or get, the holiday season simply isn’t complete without the magic of Nashville’s Nutcracker―LIVE! Experience the unforgettable magic of Music City’s favorite holiday tradition and rediscover your favorite characters like Clara, Drosselmeyer, the Sugar Plum Fairy, Madam Bonbon, and more. With stunning choreography by Paul Vasterling, dreamy costumes, and glittering sets, Nashville’s Nutcracker is a can’t-miss holiday event.
They will be abiding by TPAC’s Health and Safety Protocols for each performance of Nashville’s Nutcracker. To see their current policies, please visit their website: nashvilleballet.com. Any changes will be sent to ticket holders prior to their performance. To reserve seats for groups of 10 or more, please contact the Nashville Ballet Box Office at 615-297-2966 x710 or tickets@nashvilleballet.com.
Please note that the Nashville Symphony will perform for the Nutcracker during the second week only, as they will be performning at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center December 16 – 19 as part of the Symphony’s Pop Series for Titus Burgess in Music City Christmas.
Performances of Nashville’s Nutcracker with a local orchestra presented by Nashville Opera and Vanderbilt University Blair School of Music are: Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.; Thursday, December 16, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.; Friday, December 17, 2021 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, December 18, 2021 at 2 p.m. and at 7 p.m.; Sunday, December 19, 2021 at 1 p.m.; and at 6 p.m.
Performances of Nashville’s Nutcracker with the Nashville Symphony are: Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at 2 p.m and at 7 p.m.; Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at 2 p.m. and at 7 p.m.
Thursday, December 23, 2021 at 2 p.m. and at 7 p.m.; and Friday, December 24, 2021 at 2 p.m.
FREE TELEVISED 2020 VERSION AVAILABLE ON NEWSCHANNEL 5
Nashville Ballet is once again bringing Music City’s favorite holiday tradition to homes across Middle Tennessee for free this holiday season. Following its live performances at TPAC December 15–24, the four-time Emmy Award-nominated production of Nashville’s Nutcracker will be available to view through NewsChannel 5 WTVF beginning December 25.
Nashville’s Nutcracker will air on NewsChannel 5 on December 25 at noon and December 31 at 3 p.m. CST. The performance will also air on NewsChannel 5+ at 7 p.m. CST on December 25 and December 31 and be available to stream through the NewsChannel 5 app December 25–31.
“Last year, after overcoming so many unprecedented challenges, our Company was ecstatic to be able to share the magic of Nashville’s Nutcracker with our largest audience yet,” shared Artistic Director Paul Vasterling. “Over 200,000 people across Middle Tennessee and beyond were able to experience this beloved holiday tradition of ours– some in a brand-new way, and others for the very first time. When presented with the opportunity to do it again, we didn’t hesitate, because that feeling of sharing the joy of this beautiful art form is priceless, and ultimately why we do what we do.”
Nominated for four Midsouth Emmy Awards and the winner of two Telly Awards, this full-scale, made-for-television production was filmed on site at the Martin Center for Nashville Ballet in October of 2020 in the midst of the ongoing pandemic. The beloved holiday classic features Nashville Ballet Company artists, NB2 members and trainees, and a youth cast of School of Nashville Ballet students.
In a uniquely-Nashville twist, the film also features a special introduction and narration by former Tennessee Titans Running Back and current Tennessee State University Head Football Coach Eddie George. The Tennessee Titans will serve as the presenting sponsor of both the broadcast and live performances at TPAC. The broadcast of Nashville’s Nutcracker is sponsored by the Tennessee Titans, PNC Bank, Benefits, Inc., and HCA Healthcare/TriStar Health.
EVE WAS BLACK – VIRTUAL PERFORMANCE by Nashville Ballet is available to watch on demand through December 23, 2021.
Nashville Ballet’s virtual season curated by Associate Artistic Director Nick Mullikin features five digital performances, including select classical works and four new commissions choreographed by Caili Quan, Andile Ndlovu, Penny Saunders, and Kevin Thomas set to music curated by GRAMMY Award-winning-artist Shannon Sanders. Presented in collaboration with the National Museum of African American Music.
The Eve Was Black performance features Choreography by Kevin Thomas and Music by Allison Russell with SistaStrings. Content and Trigger Warning: This production is recommended for adult audiences due to mature themes and sensitive subject matters. It contains depictions of sexual violence, physical abuse, emotional abuse, lynching, and hanging. It may not be suitable for survivors of similar traumas or communities that have experienced similar crimes.
For resources, more about the production, and sign up to view the performance, please see the nashville ballet website: nashvilleballet.com. Sign up for their email list to be notified when a new release becomes available. You will receive an email from info@nashvilleballet.com with a link and password to access their Virtual Performance portal.
COMING NEXT YEAR; MAKE YOUR PLANS NOW FOR THESE UPCOMING NASHVILLE BALLET PERORMANCES OF NOTE:
ATTITUDE (FEBRUARY 11-20, 2022); and LUCY NEGRO REDUX (MARCH 19-26, 2022).
LUCY NEGRO REDUX
Conceived, written, and choreographed by Paul Vasterling; Based on the book by Caroline Randall Williams; Music written by Rhiannon Giddens; Music performed live by Rhiannon Giddens and Francesco Turrisi. A cross-disciplinary tour de force, Lucy Negro Redux is based on the book and narrated live by Nashville poet Caroline Randall Williams and features an original score by GRAMMY Award-winning artist and MacArthur “Genius” Grant recipient Rhiannon Giddens.
The nationwide tour of Lucy Negro Redux kicks off in Nashville in March, 2022. After debuting in 2019 with three sold out performances, Paul Vasterling’s nationally acclaimed Lucy Negro Redux returns to the stage. Hailed by The New York Times as “wildly original” and “a full-throated, full-bodied exploration of love and desire, exultation and loss, belonging and expulsion, ownership and autonomy,” this groundbreaking work explores the mysterious love life of William Shakespeare and his illustrious muses, the “Dark Lady” and the “Fair Youth.”
Lucy Negro Redux will be at TPAC’s Polk Theater for five performances: Friday, March 18, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 19, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, March 20, 2022 at 2 p.m.; Friday, March 25, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, March 26, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. Each presentation will be followed by a Post Performance talk back, moderated by Executive Director of the Human Rights Commission Beverly Watts, featuring the creatives behind the work.
**Nashville Ballet’s production of Lucy Negro Redux is based on the book by Nashville poet Caroline Randall Williams and contains sexually explicit language and references. While children under the age of 18 are not prohibited from attending this performance, it is important that parents and guardians be aware of the nature of the work prior to attending. It is strongly encouraged that anyone under the age of 18 be accompanied by a parent and/or guardian.
BUY TICKETS
If you would like to purchase tickets through the Nashville Ballet Box Office, please contact tickets@nashvilleballet.com or call 615-297-2966 x710 for assistance. Please note, the Nashville Ballet Box Office is currently closed to walk up, in person ticket purchases. If you would like to schedule a time to visit the Nashville Ballet Box Office in person to purchase tickets, please email tickets@nashvilleballet.com.
SAVE UP TO 50% WITH SEASON TICKETS
*Please note, artists, performances, and dates are subject to change.
