The Nutcracker Press Release

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Dee Bierschenk
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319.366.8206

Ballet Iowa presents The Nutcracker

Orchestra Iowa and Ballet Quad Cities continue their partnership in this holiday masterpiece with guest conductor and Quad Cities native Dan Allcott

Saturday, December 6, 2:30 PM, Cedar Rapids Paramount Theatre
Saturday, December 6, 7:30 PM, Cedar Rapids Paramount Theatre
Sunday, December 7, 2:30 PM, Cedar Rapids Paramount Theatre

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – November 2014 – Orchestra Iowa and Ballet Quad Cities, presents Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker on Saturday, December 6 at 2:30 and 7:30 PM, and on Sunday, December 7 at 7:30 PM at the Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids.

Let your holiday spirit soar with this festive family-friendly ballet. Adventure awaits as Clara and her Nutcracker Prince battle the Mouse King and embark on a journey through the Land of Sweets with the Sugar Plum Fairy. Led by Quad Cities own Dan Allcott and the magnificent dancers from Iowa’s only professional ballet company, this joyous classic will leave you with cherished memories for years to come.

Former Music Director and Principal Conductor of Atlanta Ballet, Allcott led over 300 performances in a 10 year period with the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra including world premieres with music by Phillip Glass, The Indigo Girls and the New Birth Missionary Baptist Choir. Currently Music Director of both the Oak Ridge Symphony and the Bryan Symphony orchestras in Tennessee, Allcott regularly conducts Tennessee’s finest musicians (members of the Nashville, Knoxville and Chattanooga Symphonies) in concerts lauded by critics and enthusiastically enjoyed by audiences. He has conducted the Dallas Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony and Danish Radio Orchestra and has a continuing relationship as a guest conductor with Asheville Lyric Opera, where he most recently led performances of Tosca and Marriage of Figaro. A Graduate of Moline High School in the Quad Cities and Drake University in Des Moines, this marks his first professional conducting experience on his “home turf.”

“I really owe my career in music to the educators and professionals of this region,” said Maestro Allcott, “many of whom inspired me with their dedication, artistry, and Midwestern work ethic!”

Orchestra Iowa and Ballet Quad Cities have joined forces to perform this celebratory ballet in the past three years. They have received glowing reviews, including a nomination for a 2013 Upper Midwest Regional Emmy®. Make this holiday masterpiece a custom for family and friends by experiencing it again this year and for years to come.

Tickets for the performance range in price from $19-$49 and may be purchased online at orchestraiowa.org or by calling 319.366.8203.Children 18 and under are eligible for half price tickets and group pricing is available. Tickets are also available through the Orchestra Iowa Ticket Office, 119 Third Avenue SE, Monday – Friday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, and Saturday 10:00 AM-1:00 PM.

Orchestra Iowa
Orchestra Iowa is recognized as the state’s premier symphony orchestra, under the direction Timothy Hankewich, now in his ninth year as Music Director.

Founded in 1921, the mission of Orchestra Iowa is “to foster enjoyment of, and support for fine symphonic music through quality performances, education, and community involvement”. Its 68 professional musicians perform more than 188 public performances throughout the year, many of which can be heard on Iowa Public Radio and seen on Iowa Public Television. Orchestra Iowa showcases its artistic excellence each season through an accomplished array of classical, ballet, opera, popular, and chamber performances, in addition to extensive community education and involvement.

Ballet Quad Cities
Founded in 1996 by Executive Director Joedy Cook and a dedicated Board of Directors, Ballet Quad Cities is now celebrating most exciting season yet. Way back in 1996, the company began with one paid dancer and a young, talented Artistic Director, Johanne Jakhelln. Before returning to her native country of Norway in 2005, Johanne created over 40 original ballets. Today’s versatile company consists of eleven highly trained full time professional dancers led by Artistic Director Courtney Lyon.

Ballet Quad Cities provides both classical and contemporary dance to the entire bi-state region through outstanding performances, entertaining lecture-demonstrations and innovative educational outreach programs for people of all ages.

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