A&A BALLET's Critically Acclaimed Art Deco Nutcracker Returns in 2024

“It was visually arresting and thoroughly entertaining.” Third Coast Review

In the most original reimaginations The Art Deco Nutcracker shines using the exuberance of the 1920’s to tell the classic ballet story in a new way that entertains audiences of all ages making it a Chicago holiday favorite.

The vibrant “roaring” era costumes and stunning choreography offers a new approach to the beloved story with the historic Tchaikovsky score known around the world.

“The original Nutcracker is known and loved for its costumes global influence and display of cultures – their music and related dances so it makes sense that we highlight the diversity of our dancers in the Art Deco Nutcracker” says Kremnev Creative Director of A&A Ballet.

Directed by the internationally acclaimed Alexei Kremnev the performance integrates the historic Tchaikovsky score with a fresh modern approach that reflects the rich cultural diversity of its cast.

In the upcoming 2024 Art Deco Nutcracker audiences will see this commitment to diversity come to life on stage. The entire lead cast is international or generational American from Tokyo Japan Xalpa Veracruz Ukraine and Spain to Russian Indian Polish and Chinese Americans. This cast is one of the most culturally diverse in the city symbolizing A&A BALLET’s vision of an inclusive future for ballet.

"The original Nutcracker is beloved for its celebration of global music and dance traditions so it’s only fitting that our cast highlights the diverse backgrounds of our dancers" says Kremnev Creative Director of A&A BALLET.

Multicultural Leads & Cast Members

• Clara – Miina Fujie 13 Tokyo Japan
• Clara – Mari Million 13 is a Japanese American from downtown Chicago
• Prince – Jorge Mejia Reyes 16 is from Xalapa Veracruz Mexico
• Sugar Plum Fairy – Tatiana Chen 17 of Naperville is a Chinese American who reprises her role as Sugar Plum Fairy from 2023
• Sugar Plum Fairy – Alyssa Casey 18 is second generation Polish American and lives in Barrington IL.
• The Russian - Ivan Aguayo 30 openly gay Mexican American from Chicago
• Fritz a Russian – George Alex Kremnev X Russian American Chicago
• Nutcracker Doll – Nikhil Sengupta 14 Indian American from Chicago
• Arabian – Leo Fisher 20 Oliva Valencia Spain
• Sofiia (Sonia) Stepantsova 11 joins the cast from Cherkasy Ukraine.

Performance Dates:

Saturday, December 7, 2024 2:00 & 7:00 p.m.

Where: Athenaeum Theater, 2936 N. Southport Avenue, Chicago, IL

Tickets: $22.00-59.00 available here

Who: Ballet company A&A Ballet was founded in 2016 by Alexei Kremnev and Anna Reznik. Both are distinguished dancers with experience as former Founding Artistic Directors of the Joffrey Academy of Dance and the Joffrey Studio Company. “The Art Deco Nutcracker” is Kremnev's 11 full-length ballet. His work has been presented at the world-renowned Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow Lincoln Center in New York and the Opernhaus Zurich in Switzerland among other prestigious venues across the globe. Both Kremnev and Reznik have been recognized as Influential People in the Arts in Cincinnati and have received multiple awards for their leadership.

Host or Publisher A&A Ballet