SOPAC Presents A JAZZY NUTCRACKER, 12/06

Graham Lustig's A Jazzy Nutcracker is "jumpin' with jazz" in this adaptation of the timeless seasonal production, Dec. 6. With an original score inspired by familiar melodies, the show features a live jazz sextet, wonderfully colorful sets and costumes, members of the Columbia High School marching band, and the critically-acclaimed Lustig Dance Theatre professional dancers, bringing new energy and verve to the holiday classic.

This Nutcracker is set in the "swinging 60s" of London with a space-age battle scene, a local marching band, 30 young community dancers, and a dancing Santa Claus who spends a night discovering the secrets of Drosselmeyer's magical department store. For the production, Lustig draws upon his experience growing up in London, maintaining the same basic plot line and most of the same melodies as the classic Tchaikovsky version, but setting the story in a different time and place. "London was a very cool place to be when I was a kid," Lustig says. "There was the juxtaposition of The Space Age, which was upon us...and how that inspired fashion, and thinking, and creativity." Much of that fashion and creativity is embedded throughout his adaptation.

Lustig hopes that his piece will strike a special note in the hearts of contemporary dance lovers, as well. "The 60s were a very rich period of dance. You have all of that freestyle dancing...the twist, the mashed potato, the hitchhiker, the Egyptian, so a lot of those steps I was able to weave into the party scene." In addition, allusions to dance pioneers of the time such as Bob Fosse, Matt Mattox, and Alwin Nikolais are dotted throughout. "There are many, many different Nutcracker productions to be seen in the tri-state area, and I would say 99.9 percent of them are Tchaikovsky-based classical productions," he explains. "I just thought it would be very refreshing to offer patrons a different, alternative version that is still full of life and energy, and still romantic, funny, beautiful and moving."

Another major element of this Nutcracker adaptation is, understandably, the jazz music. Paul Undreiner, an educator at Rutgers University's Mason Gross School of the Arts, composed a new score for Lustig's ballet, which echoes the original, and is played live by a jazz sextet. The familiar Tchaikovsky score, which premiered in 1892, is obviously in a very different style than jazz - a fact that presented interesting challenges for Undreiner. "I had to really pick apart and analyze the Tchaikovsky," he shares.

South Orange and Maplewood residents may recognize members of the esteemed Columbia High School marching band, known for their rich tradition of musical excellence and visual pageantry under the direction of Peter Bauer and led by drum major Russell Pinzino.

The fun-filled ballet, brimming with humor and playfulness which provides NJ patrons a fresh holiday option, is being presented by the South Orange Performing Arts Center, December 6 at 2PM and 7PM.

Since 2006, SOPAC has been serving as a premier performing arts center in the region. SOPAC offers innovative artistic and cultural experiences for diverse audiences in an intimate, inviting environment. The premier arts center hosts a variety of live performances, community events and education programs for all ages. To further expand its offerings, SOPAC has a partnership with the Juilliard School of Music to present Juilliard @ SOPAC-a series featuring upcoming musicians from the acclaimed conservatory. SOPAC is home for Seton Hall University Arts Council's performances, including Classical Concert Series, Jazz N' the Hall performances and Seton Hall Theatre productions. SOPAC also presents performances by its theater company in residence, Midtown Direct Rep, and its dance company in residence, Lydia Johnson Dance. For more information, visit SOPACnow.org.

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