News
World-renowned dancers join New Ballet Ensemble’s holiday classic NutRemix™
Alumni Lil Buck and Maxx Reed return to dance and lead this year’s production
MEMPHIS, Tenn., Nov. 9, 2023 – New Ballet Ensemble & School’s NutRemix™, presented by Nike, returns to the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts Nov. 17-19. Set on Beale Street, this electrifying, uniquely Memphis retelling of Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” captivates audiences of all ages.
Alumnus Maxx Reed has returned to serve as Creative Director for this year’s performance. Under his direction, NutRemix remains the holiday classic audiences know and love with some new twists, such as refreshed choreography, story and characters; lighting design; costuming; and staging. The most notable change is that of the leading role. The Beale Street Café waiter’s destination will change to preparing for college rather than war. Additionally, alumnus Christopher Roberts has restaged the Chinese and Pollichenelles scene with fresh ideas and props.
“NutRemix is an important component of New Ballet’s mission of providing equitable access to professional dance training in Memphis,” Katie Smythe, CEO of New Ballet said. “In addition to dance training, students are given the opportunity to experience the world of dance in a tangible and experiential way as they explore global cultures and perform with a live symphony. It is our hope that this performance inspires these artists to grow and continue to find ways to express their creativity through dance.”
Globally acclaimed dancer and New Ballet alumnus Lil Buck — who specializes in Memphis Jookin — is returning home to star as the Memphis Angel, a role he created. New Ballet is also pleased to welcome back to the stage, Myrna Kamara. Kamara, who has graced the stages of New York City Ballet, Miami City Ballet and Béjart Ballet (Lausanne in Switzerland), will dance the role of the Snow Queen partnered by Filipe Portugal who has performed with Ballet Zürich and Ballet Ireland. “Bboy Eagle” Pereu, who has worked with artists Lil Wayne, David Guerra, Pitbull, Sean Kingston and the Miami Marlins Energy Team, will be making his NutRemix debut in this year’s production alongside NutRemix veteran, Luis Arrieche.
Additionally, nearly 100 students, from age six to young adults, are cast in NutRemix, including some students enrolled in New Ballet’s Pathways program in partnership with Memphis-Shelby County Schools. Snowden School’s choir will sing during the Snow Scene in which Kamara and Portugal appear, Overton High School Creative and Performing Arts dancers dance in the overture and Dunbar Elementary dancers perform during the Battle of Mice and Soldiers. Also joining them onstage are New Ballet’s Teaching Artists and Apprentices. Accompanying the dancers are the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Big Band and African drummers from New Ballet’s core group led by John Washington, including Memphis artists Reginald Taber and Barbara Tyler.
This year’s production of NutRemix takes place on Friday, Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 18 at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 19 at 2:30 p.m. at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, located at 255 N. Main St. in Downtown Memphis. Tickets range from $34-52 and are available through Ticketmaster.
Families and friends wishing to see the production are welcome to purchase group sales tickets for $15 per ticket for groups of 10-49 people and $12.50 for groups of 50 or more. Group rates are also available for other community and student groups for the Friday, Nov. 17 show by calling 901-726-9225.
New Ballet offers a live school performance (sold out for 2023) and virtual, on-demand performances for schools, featuring a fast-paced, condensed version of NutRemix designed specifically for young audiences. To help educators actively engage students, New Ballet provides pre-performance teacher’s guides with information on composers and choreographers, prompts to promote critical thinking about the performance, and a range of activities to maximize students’ understanding and appreciation of the performance. Schools can also schedule an interactive question-and-answer session with the performers. Teachers can contact New Ballet at 901-726-9225 for pricing info and to register their classes.
Presenting Sponsor: Nike, the presenting sponsor of NutRemix, has provided support to the New Ballet Ensemble & School through several sponsorships and the Black Community Commitment Grant.
Posted by Addison Hare at November 9, 2023