A holiday mash-up for the whole family is coming your way! The Hip Hop Nutcracker returns for another run this year in Chicago, Illinois. So, if you’re sick of the classic holiday shows, this is exactly the one for you. This contemporary dance spectacle is a re-mixed and re-imagined version of the classic story of the Nutcracker – in hip hop form! Who could resist such a treat?
The Hip Hop Nutcracker is currently running at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago and will be there until the 17th of December, 2023. Don’t miss out on catching this spectacular holiday show live! With a powerhouse cast of a dozen all-star dancers, a DJ, a violinist, and MC Kurtis Blow, one of hip hop’s founding fathers, all attendees are certain to have an unforgettable time.
Tickets for The Hip Hop Nutcracker are still available! Hurry up and get your last minute tickets here. Be quick before they sell out!
The Hip Hop Nutcracker Tickets:
“A truly one-of-a-kind experience!” – Elle Magazine
“The Hip Hop Nutcracker turns Tchaikovsky on his head, in the coolest possible way.” – CBS
“A generous dose of contemporary spirit!” – The New York Times
It’s hip-hop’s 50th year right now and what better way to celebrate the holiday season than with a dance mash-up for the whole family! The Hip Hop Nutcracker is on its annual tour, making its way across 25 cities in the United States. Currently, the touring production is in Chicago, Illinois and will have a series of shows in the area until the 17th of December.
The production reimagines Tchaikovsky’s 130-year-old ballet as a contemporary holiday dance spectacle. It features hip hop pioneer Kurtis “The Breaks” Blow, the first rapper to be signed by a major label in 1979, performing as the show’s MC. Alongside him is a powerhouse cast of a dozen all-star dancers, a DJ, and a violinist! The show is directed and choreographed by Tony and Olivier Award-nominated Jennifer Weber – and it’s nothing short of a spectacle.
The creative team includes lighting designer Burke Wilmore, video designer Moe Shahrooz, and costume designer Whitney Adams. Original beats and remixes are by DJ Boo.
“An ensemble as exciting as their balletic equivalent…the hip hop vocabulary works even better!” – The New York Times
“crowd-pleasing and uplifting saga, just in time for the holiday season” – BroadwayWorld
“The Hip Hop Nutcracker is filled with amazing choreography that turns heads-literally!” – DPACnc
At this show, you can expect to find Maria-Clara and the Nutcracker Prince go on a dream adventure – just like the original. Together, the two battle a gang of mice, visit the land of sweets and learn the lessons of the holiday season. The set will be brought to life with digital graffiti and visuals transform, turning the beloved story’s traditional 19th Century Germany to the vibrant, diverse sights and sounds of contemporary New York City.
As of writing, the show has been performed more than 250 times in 70 cities. The re-mixed and re-imagined version of the classic story smashes hip hop dance and Tchaikovsky’s timeless music together. It successfully turns into a heart-warming and inspirational holiday event that takes audiences on a journey celebrating love, community and the magic of the holiday season.
It was created in 2013 by Emmy winner Jennifer Weber and debuted in 2014. She is both the director and choreographer of the show. She is a double Tony Award nominee for the 2022-2023 Broadway season. She received nominations for Best Choreography for her Broadway debuts of & Juliet and KPOP. Fun fact: these two shows opened less than a week apart!
“Filled with high-powered choreography and a very modern storyline” – Elle Magazine
“Sure to heat up even the most restless and wintry souls” – The New York Times
“The fun the ensemble has is unbelievably contagious.” – Maryland Theatre Guide
The Hip Hop Nutcracker opens with MC Kurtis Blow taking the stage and setting the mood for the night. After almost 10 years of doing shows, he has certainly perfected doing this short skit! The MC paved the way for generations of hip hop artists and fans after scoring the first certified gold record rap song in 1980 – making it an iconic feat that he’s the opener for The Hip Hop Nutcracker.
In an interview with CBS Colorado, MC Kurtis Blow talked about the show and the 2023 touring production. “It’s a fun-filled, spirit-filled, something that represents the magic of the holiday season,” he said in describing the show. “I call them the b-boy, b-girl dream team. And they give 100% every night and the audience, they leave their show feeling good inside.”
He continued talking about the fusion of hip-hop and ballet in the show. “That’s the most incredible thing about the hip hop nutcracker is the fusion, the timeless music of Tchaikovsky and break dancing. Wow. I’ve always thought that hip-hop was malleable. You can shape it into any form. I was the first to do rock ‘n’ roll rap, so I knew that the genres of music were available for us to be inspired to make these songs. I was the first to do country and western rap. I’m a supporter of this fusion. I said I’ve got to support this.”
“The Hip Hop Nutcracker is fun for all with the aerial tricks and beautiful dancing enrapturing for kids and adults alike.” – MD Theatre Guide
“Showcasing an incredibly athletic, youthful cast and brimming with positive energy, The Hip Hop Nutcracker, adapted by Mike Fitelson, proved to be a nonstop, family-friendly party.” – Milwaukee Magazine
The Hip Hop Nutcracker will run at the Cadillac Palace Theatre until the 17th of December. The show is open to all ages and has a run time of 2 hours and 20 minutes with one intermission. Tickets to attend the show are still available in limited quantities. If you want to witness The Hip Hop Nutcracker, you may secure your tickets by clicking ‘GET TICKETS’!