SUGAR HILL The Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker, an original production is directed by Emmy Award winner and Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics nominee Joshua Bergasse, with choreography by Jade Hale-Christofi. SUGAR HILL is set to the timeless music of Ellington and Strayhorn and features a libretto by Jessica Swan. The show features a world-renowned creative team of dance superstars, with additional choreography by Caleb Teicher and Jon Boogz, and dance consultation from ten-time Tony Award nominee Graciela Daniele and Kennedy Center Honoree Carmen de Lavallade. Orchestrations and Arrangements are by GRAMMY® Award-winner John Clayton and three-time Tony Award nominee Larry Blank. Dance arrangement by Mark Hummel and casting byMungioli Theatricals, Inc.
A jazz-steeped retelling of the classic holiday story, SUGAR HILL The Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker celebrates the music and magic of the jazz heartbeat of Harlem in Sugar Hill. A tribute to the joy of collaboration, the beauty of diversity, and the power of individuality.
The World Premiere of SUGAR HILL The Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker, the jazz-steeped reimagining of The Nutcracker based on the genre-defying collaboration of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, will debut at Pittsburgh’s Benedum Center for the Performing Arts from October 19-30, 2022. The production will follow with a run at New York City Center (131 W 55th St.) from November 15-27, 2022.