Duke It Out! Nutcracker

The Music Institute of Chicago brings back a holiday tradition with “Duke It Out!,” featuring the classical (Tchaikovsky) and jazz (Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn) versions of The Nutcracker in a music and dance performance the whole family will enjoy.
 
Music performers include Axiom Brass and Music Institute Ensemble-in Residence Quintet Attacca. Dance artists, curated by Dance Chicago include Elevations Show Studio Company, Footprints Tap Ensemble, Forum Dance Theatre, GUS LEGACY® - GG Company, Plainfield Dance Academy, and Wheatland Dance Theater; individual dancers Altin Naska as Drosselmeyer, tap artists Tristan Bruns as the Mouse King and Nico Rubio as the Nutcracker, flamenco artist Sophia Sanchez, and guest artists Antonio Rosario as the Cavalier and Julio Alexander as the Arabian Doll.

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

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Want to learn more about this unique production?  Watch a special episode of MIC's "Indoor Voices" featuring an interview with John Schmitz, co-founder and artistic director of Dance Chicago and Fiona Queen, Director of Performance Activities at Nichols Concert Hall. Schmitz, along with Altin Naska curated the dance portion in collaboration with Queen to produce MIC’s "Duke It Out" Nutcracker.