Choreographer For Princeton Youth Ballet's Production Of 'The Nutcracker' Used To Overcoming Obstacles

Princeton, NJ -- Princeton Youth Ballet opens its 2016-17 season with a new production of “The Nutcracker.”

The show will be performed on Dec. 10 and Dec. 11, 4 p.m. at the Princeton High School Performing Arts Center, 151 Moore Street.

The show is a new version of the beloved holiday classic, conceived and choreographed by Artistic Director Risa Kaplowitz.

The story follows a young girl, Marie, who has been given an enchanted Nutcracker doll by her godfather, Dr. Drosselmeyer.

Unbeknownst to her, the Nutcracker is really Drosselmeyer’s nephew held captive under the spell of a vengeful Mouse King.

The adventure that follows includes a harrowing and sometimes comical battle between soldiers and mice, a Forest of Dancing Sugar Crystals, and Marie’s coronation in the indulgent Land of the Sweets.

“The most challenging aspect of creating my own Nutcracker was getting everyone else’s version out of my head,” Kaplowitz said. “Like so many professional ballet dancers, I have danced in and seen a lot of Nutcracker ballets. I got over that hurdle by focusing only on the narrative in the music and by reminding myself that while there may be hundreds of versions, no one else could create mine.”

Kaplowitz is used to overcoming obstacles, working as a female choreographer in a profession dominated by men.

She finds the disparity a bit surprising, considering that women and ballerinas are the more popular symbols of ballet.

Nevertheless, she spoke about defying the industry’s norm to realize one of her childhood ambitions.

“During the long daily drive to ballet class, I would be so lost creating ballets in my head, that I wouldn’t even realize when my parents stopped the car in front of the studio,” she said. “I think female choreographers may offer a different level of depth and warmth to narrative ballets.”

Kaplowitz’s other Princeton Youth Ballet productions include “The Secret Garden,” “The Snow Queen,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and “Cinderella.”

Her experience as a former principal dancer and as a nationally prominent dance educator with the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum accounts for her fluency in the language of classical ballet and gives her a special knack for wordless storytelling, she said.

Kaplowitz said the 85 cast members in “The Nutcracker” are a group of young dancers who are artistically eloquent beyond their years.

“PYB audiences expect to see highly-skilled and passionate young dancers in our magical productions,” Kaplowitz said. “I believe the enchantment of our new Nutcracker will stay with viewers for a long time.”

Tickets are $15-$20 in advance, or $20-$25 at the door.

Corporate/group discounts and special pricing for Scout groups are available.

Buy tickets at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2582215 or by calling 1-800-838-3006, option 1.

For information about Princeton Youth Ballet and the company’s 2016-17 season, visit www.princetonyouthballet.org.

The attached flyer was provided by Princeton Youth Ballet