Oakland Ballet Company Premiere of Graham Lustig's The Nutcracker

OAKLAND, Calif., Dec. 6, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The Oakland Ballet Company is proud to present the Bay Area premiere of new Artistic Director Graham Lustig's The Nutcracker, with performances December 23, 24 and 26th, at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland. The company is also excited to have Bank of America and Chevron as lead sponsors.

Holiday Magic for All Ages! Graham Lustig's The Nutcracker will delight audiences as the Oakland Ballet Company dances to Tchaikovsky's music performed by the East Bay Symphony Orchestra and Oakland Youth Chorus conducted by Michael Morgan.  Young student dancers from Bay Area dance schools will be featured as they bring to life the excitement and imagination of children at Christmas. Spectacular eye catching sets and costumes are designed by Emmy Award winning designer Zack Brown with lighting by Drama-Logue and David Elliot, an Isadora Duncan Award recipient.

Oakland Unified Schools Partnership - 2,000 tickets will be given to underserved students of the Oakland Unified Schools and their families to attend a performance of Graham Lustig's The Nutcracker. Dancers dressed in costume will visit local schools to read the story of The Nutcracker and dance highlights. The company's diverse background of dancers enriches the experience of the students enabling them to relate and encourage them to be life long art enthusiasts.

Community Outreach - Over 1,000 tickets will be given to underserved members of the East Bay community through the Community Access Ticket Service (CATS) organization.  

Tickets are on sale now at the Paramount Theatre Box Office by calling 510-465-6400 or through Ticketmaster online at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1- 800-745-3000. Ticket prices $15-50 a ticket.  Performances dates:

Thursday, December 23 at 2 pm

Thursday, December 23 at 7 pm

Friday, December 24 at 11 am

Sunday, December 26 at 2 pm

Sweet Dreams Parties will follow the 2 pm matinees; children meet dancers and enjoy sweet treats.  Tickets for this are $10 and sold through the Paramount Theatre Box Office or Ticketmaster.com.

The Oakland Ballet Company thanks their corporate partners - Bank of America Foundation, Chevron, Clorox Company Foundation, San Francisco Foundation, A&B Foundation, and Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream.  Their support makes it possible for Oakland Ballet Company to present ballet that is exciting, vibrant and accessible to all.  To support and help visit: www.oaklandballet.org.

Mr. Lustig will be available for interviews December 6 - 23rd, 2010.

SOURCE Oakland Ballet Company