(EWING, NJ) -- Roxey Ballet celebrates the 31st anniversary of its Nutcracker this holiday season with five performances at the Kendall Hall Main Stage Theater at The College of New Jersey. Designed from the ground up for young audiences, the production draws families from Mercer, Hunterdon, Somerset and Ocean Counties in New Jersey and Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
Unlike a traditional full-length ballet, Roxey Ballet's Nutcracker is built around characters children love. Audiences meet a Teddy Bear, a Polar Bear, a Panda Bear and a toy box full of friends. Tiny marching soldiers, about the size of the children watching them, step out in formation, and remote-controlled rats zip across the stage. The story builds to a battle in which the Evil Rat King is defeated by a giant wooden Nutcracker, followed by a magical snow scene and special effects throughout. Santa and his friends also make an appearance.
"We built this Nutcracker so that a three-year-old and a grandparent leave the theater equally delighted," said Mark Roxey, Founder, Artistic Director and Executive Director of Roxey Ballet. "For 31 years, families have made it part of their holidays. Many of the parents in our audience saw it as children themselves, and now they are bringing their own kids."
Performances take place Saturday, November 28 at 2:00pm; Sunday, November 29 at 2:00pm; Friday, December 4 at 10:00am; Saturday, December 5 at 2:00pm; and Sunday, December 6 at 2:00pm. Tickets start at $30 and are available for purchase online or by calling (609) 397-7616. Kendall Hall Main Stage Theater is located at The College of New Jersey (2000 Pennington Road) in Ewing, New Jersey. Livestream options are available for each performance.
A Relaxed, Sensory-Friendly School Matinee on Friday, December 4 at 10:00am offers a welcoming environment for children with sensory needs and families new to live theater.
Interactive experiences for young audiences
Pre-performance workshop with the Snow Queen and friends (ages 4 to 10): children dance with select characters, learn the story and create movement to Tchaikovsky's score. Workshop families arrive at 1:00pm before 2:00pm performances. Scouts can earn a Roxey Ballet Nutcracker Badge.
Post-performance autograph meet and greet with Clara, the Prince, the Nutcracker, the Sugar Plum Fairy, Dew Drop, the Snow King and Snow Queen, and the Rat King, with a keepsake autograph booklet.
Holiday boutique and concessions with Nutcracker gifts, keepsakes and holiday treats.
Top-secret surprises designed especially for children.
Related event: The Nutcracker Suites & Tea Party takes place in New Hope, PA on Sunday, November 15 at 11:00am & 2:00pm. Details at roxeyballet.org/teaparty.
Roxey Ballet Company, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit contemporary theater-ballet company with administrative headquarters in Frenchtown, NJ and rehearsal studios in New Hope, PA. Founded by Mark Roxey, a former principal dancer with The Joffrey Ballet, American Repertory Ballet and Dayton Ballet, the company serves audiences across the New Jersey and Pennsylvania corridor with performances, education and community programs.
