Anthony Williams’ Urban Nutcracker, the modern Boston-centric holiday classic presented by City Ballet of Boston, returns this December! The live, in-person performances, December 17–23, 2022 at the Boch Center Shubert Theatre, showcase winter scenes set in present-day downtown Boston, blending the rhythms of Duke Ellington with the classical music of Tchaikovsky. Anchored by classical ballet, the performances also include a broad range of dance forms such as tap, hip-hop, flamenco and jazz, accompanied by a small live orchestra of local musicians.

Deemed “a holiday arts tradition reflecting the rich multicultural diversity of Boston” by The Boston Globe, this joyful rendition of heroine Clarice’s adventure with the street magician Drosselmeyer features more than 150 performers, both local children and professional dancers.

It explores iconic Boston landmarks such as the Make Way for Ducklings statues, the golden dome of the State House, the Boston Public Garden, Fenway Park’s “Green Monster,” the Citgo sign, the Hatch Shell and Downtown Boston. The stage comes alive with hundreds of colorful costumes re-imagined by designer Dustin Todd Rennells (originally designed by Rebecca Cross) with eye-catching sets by Janie Howland.

Featuring new and original cast members—dancers Sabi Varga and Toby Towson as Drosselmeyer, tap phenomenon Khalid Hill, local hip-hop legend Ricardo Foster Jr. and Uganda-born ballerina Victoria Jaenson—along with partnerships with the Northeast Youth Ballet, Walnut Hill School for the Arts and Revels, Urban Nutcracker can be enjoyed by the whole family, and all ages!

The closing evening of Urban Nutcracker sees an LGBTQ+-inclusive version of Urban Nutcracker take the stage. With same-sex partnering, male dancers in drag and en pointe, this performance challenges typical gender stereotypes in dance. Local drag artist Patty Bourrée joins Urban Nutcracker for this performance.

More Information:

Urban Nutcracker plays the Boch Center Shubert Theatre (265 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116). Tickets are available at the Boch Center Box Office, https://www.bochcenter.org/events/detail/urbannutcracker2022, or by calling (866) 348-9738.

Groups of 10 or more may reserve discounted tickets now by contacting Boch Center Group Sales at (617) 532-1116 or groups@bochcenter.org.

Ticket Prices: $29–118

Saturday, December 17 at 2 p.m.
Saturday, December 17 at 7 p.m. 
Sunday, December 18 at 1 p.m.
Sunday, December 18 at 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 21 at 7 p.m.
Thursday, December 22 at 7 p.m.
Friday, December 23 at 7 p.m. (LGBTQ+ Inclusive Performance)

All performances are approximately 2 hours with one 20 minute intermission.