Blending classical ballet with contemporary dance and an innovative spin on a holiday classic, A 1940s Nutcracker presented by Neos Dance Theatre featuring the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra will be performed at the Renaissance Theatre December 9 at 8 PM and December 10 at 2 PM.
Steve Taylor, Mansfield Symphony Operations Manager, said, “Live music played and conducted right in front of an audience adds more energy and emotion to anything you’re watching on stage. We are thrilled that Bobby Wesner has been able to make the Mansfield Symphony part of his very unique Nutcracker performance for two years now. We are proud to be associated with NEOS, and very grateful to the funders who have made this possible.”
Set in 1940s Mansfield, the innovative retelling of the classic Nutcracker story uses projection mapping technology to allow the dancers to be immersed in scenes that would have taken place in World War II-era Mansfield, featuring locations such as the Women’s Club, Kingwood Center, Malabar Farm, the Ohio (Renaissance) Theatre, and more, while still maintaining the integrity of the original plot line and Tchaikovsky score, performed by the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra led by Octavio Más-Arocas.
Neos Artistic Director Bobby Wesner commented, “This is much larger than just The Nutcracker. This is about Mansfield, Richland County, and our entire region. We’ve seen the value these annual productions bring to communities both culturally and economically and I feel wholeheartedly that Mansfield is deserving of its own unique retelling of this story.”
In addition to the Neos company, guest student dancers ranging in ages from 5 to 14 from the Findlay Academy of Ballet will perform in the production, which will also perform in Elyria and Findlay, Ohio.
Once again this season, two free tickets will be available to all men and women of service by displaying a Military ID at the Box Office at the point of purchase. Veteran tickets have been generously underwritten by Dr. Dale and Jody Thomae of Ashland.
Tickets are on sale now starting at $15 at the Renaissance Box Office, via phone at (419) 522-2726, and online at MansfieldTickets.com. A limited number of $50 Family Four Packs, which includes four Section C tickets and two popcorns, are available for this production. A limited number of $50 VIP Seats which include premium seating and exclusive access to the VIP Lounge, sponsored by Tasco, Thompson and Sons, are also available for this production.
Neos’ A 1940s Nutcracker is sponsored by The Butterfly House, Richland Source. Funding has been provided by the Robert and Esther Black Family Foundation Fund of the Richland County Foundation, the Fred B. and Marian J. Hout Fund of the Richland County Foundation, and the Hire Family Foundation.
Source, Photo: Renaissance Performing Arts Association/Jeff Sprang
