Saint Louis Dance Theatre, Jazz St. Louis present ‘Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker’

St.  Louis arts icons reimagine a holiday classic: A sultry, jazz-infused holiday fantasy for grown-ups

This December, forget sugar plum fairies and toy soldiers. Saint Louis Dance Theatre and Jazz St. Louis invite audiences to a smoky jazz club where holiday music takes on a decidedly grown-up flavor.

The Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker, running Dec. 20 and 21 at Chaminade’s Skip Viragh Performing Arts Center, weaves a magical tale set against the backdrop of a dreamy, reimagined St. Louis.

This innovative production brings together the unsung genius of Billy Strayhorn and the legendary Josephine Baker to celebrate the transformative power of music and love.

“We’re not just retelling a classic – we’re reclaiming it for St. Louis,” said Kirven Douthit-Boyd, artistic director of Saint Louis Dance Theatre. “This Nutcracker speaks to the heart of St. Louis, celebrating our rich jazz heritage and the trailblazers who shaped it. It’s a love letter to Billy Strayhorn, an unsung genius who dared to live authentically in the face of adversity, and a tribute to influential figures like Josephine Baker.”

Billy Strayhorn, often overshadowed by his collaboration with Duke Ellington, takes center stage in this historical fiction. A brilliant composer and arranger, Strayhorn was also an openly LGBTQIA+ black man in an era when such honesty often came at great personal cost. This production imagines a world where the two meet during a mythical performance at the famed Crystal Palace, bringing his story into the spotlight alongside the iconic Josephine Baker.

The two-act performance opens with a sizzling array of jazz standards, each punctuated by intimate dance solos and duets. Act Two unveils the full splendor of Ellington and Strayhorn’s groundbreaking “Nutcracker Suite,” brought to vivid life through Douthit-Boyd’s innovative choreography.

Victor Goines, president and CEO of Jazz St. Louis, brings his expertise to this unique production. “This collaboration showcases the depth of St. Louis’ artistic legacy,” Goines said. “We’re connecting the dots between classical traditions, the innovative arrangements by Ellington and Strayhorn, and the vibrant artistic scene of today’s St. Louis. This is a musical journey for all, designed to surprise and delight everyone.”

In a season packed with traditional Nutcracker productions, the Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker stands out as a must-see event for audiences seeking a fresh, provocative take on holiday entertainment. This is no children’s fairy tale, but a sumptuous exploration of love, ambition, and the transformative power of music.

“At Saint Louis Dance Theatre, we’re committed to telling stories that often go unheard,” said Erin Prange, executive director of Saint Louis Dance Theatre. “This production embodies our aim of creative justice, bringing to light the contributions of artists like Strayhorn while creating a joyous, unforgettable holiday experience for our audience.”

The Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker offers a jazz-infused take on the classic tale. With a new narrative set to vibrant music and dance, this show creates an experience for adults and kids of all ages. Whether you’ve seen the Nutcracker a hundred times or never before, this lively interpretation is sure to captivate.

Performances are scheduled for:

• 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20
• 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21

Evening performances feature special post-show experiences:

• Friday: Join Douthit-Boyd and Goines for an intimate talkback and champagne toast.
• Saturday: Mingle with the artists at a glamorous Holiday Soirée.

All performances will take place at:

• Skip Viragh Performing Arts Center, Chaminade College Preparatory School, Creve Coeur, MO 63131.

Tickets for this limited engagement are expected to sell quickly. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit stldancetheatre.org.

Photos provided by Saint Louis Dance Theatre.

 

 

About Saint Louis Dance Theatre 

Saint Louis Dance Theatre is a premier professional dance company blazing new trails by interweaving the Gateway City’s storied legacy into boundary-pushing contemporary performances. Combining world-class artistry with a bold vision, Saint Louis Dance Theatre champions inclusivity, collaboration, and artistic excellence. This fusion of purpose and passion positions Saint Louis Dance Theatre as a beacon for the spirit of St. Louis in every performance. With a grand vision of elevating St. Louis as a nationally recognized arts destination, Saint Louis Dance Theatre aims to deepen connections locally while showcasing the region’s pioneering creative force on a national scale. For more information, visit stldancetheatre.org.

About Jazz St. Louis 

Jazz St. Louis is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to lead our community in advancing the uniquely American art of jazz through performance, education, and community engagement. Each year, Jazz St. Louis presents over 270 performances in its internationally acclaimed concert series. Jazz St. Louis Education programs cultivate leadership and cultural appreciation in the next generation of musicians and listeners through training, educational resources, and transformative engagement with local and touring professional musicians. Jazz St. Louis has an extensive portfolio of education programs for elementary through college students in the greater St. Louis area and beyond. The organization provides field trip experiences, hands-on training programs, in-school clinics and masterclasses, and curricular resources for teachers, all at no cost to participants. For more information about Jazz St. Louis, visit jazzstl.org.