“THE NUTCRACKER” MADE FOR TELEVISION BALLET HAWAII and the HAWAI‘I SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA A HOLIDAY GIFT TO THE COMMUNITY
December 9, 2020
Contact: Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra, Dave Moss, Executive Director (808) 380-7722 Ballet Hawaii, John Parkinson, Executive Director (808) 469-4395
HONOLULU – On Saturday, December 19 at 7:00 PM on KITV Channel 4, Hawai‘i Public Radio presents a gift to our community with Ballet Hawaii’s The Nutcracker with the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra. A long-standing, cherished tradition, The Nutcracker brings together two of Hawai‘i’s premier cultural organizations to present Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet uniquely set in Hawai‘i in a made-for-television event. Rebroadcasts will air on December 25 at 7 PM and December 26 at 3:30 PM on KITV Channel 4.
With choreography by Septime Webre, The Nutcracker is set in the 1858 Kingdom of Hawai‘i. An impressive cast of more than 175 performers includes New York City Ballet’s prima ballerina Megan Fairchild and Joaquin DeLuz, Pacific Northwest Ballet principal dancers Lesley Rausch, Lucien Postlewaite, and well-known Carolina Ballet principal dancers Margaret Severin-Hansen and Richard Krusch. The broadcast being produced by Deborah Glazier and Stasia Droze Jost incorporates performances by the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra at the Hawaii Theatre Center from this year, live action shots of cast members attending the first Christmas party in Hawai‘i, narration by Amanda Schull, and previously recorded footage of Ballet Hawaii’s productions of The Nutcracker.
“Everyone involved with the Ballet and the Symphony felt compelled to preserve the annual holiday tradition of The Nutcracker,” said Susan Schull, Chair of Ballet Hawaii Board of Directors. “With performing before a live audience impossible, we came up with a creative way to reach even more people.” Both the Ballet and Symphony credit local businesses for making the broadcast possible. “We couldn’t have done this without the support of our lead sponsor Hawai‘i Public Radio and supporting sponsors Michael J. Marks Foundation, Armstrong Builders, LLC, First Hawaiian Bank, First Insurance Company of Hawaii, and G-70. Their vision means that all of Hawai‘i will enjoy an evening of locally inspired classical entertainment” said Beverly Kravitt, Ballet Hawaii Board of Directors. “They deserve their own round of applause for the vision and leadership they demonstrate for what’s important for the community”, said Paul Kosasa, Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra Board Chair. “The partnership between these two cultural pillars of Hawai‘i is paramount for the success of the arts,” Jason Kravitt, Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors.
“We are pleased that the organizations partnership makes it possible to present Ballet Hawaii’s historical adaptation of the Nutcracker holiday ballet,” said Pamela Taylor Tongg, Ballet Hawaii artistic director. “This adapted for television version is a fresh, new look at this much-loved timeless story. The production celebrates who we are as a community. Audiences will also be awed by the dramatic scenery designed by BALLET HAWAII and HAWAI‘I SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA – A Gift to the Community! THE NUTCRACKER A LOCAL HOLIDAY TRADITION MADE FOR TELEVISION
Holly Highfill and lit by Trad A Burns. And gorgeous costume design has been provided by Christine Darch, Kini Zamora and Anne Namba.”
Executive Director of the HSO, Dave Moss elaborates “Where else but in Hawai‘i would the project be possible? Our community’s strength is in its ability to respond to challenging environments with resiliency and creativity.”
Special Mahalo to Sponsors
Lead Sponsor: Hawai‘i Public Radio
Supporting Sponsor: Michael J. Marks Foundation
Major Sponsor:
Armstrong Builders, LLC
Davis, Levin, Livingston Charitable Foundation
First Hawaiian Bank
First Insurance Company of Hawaii
G-70
Tongg and Partners
Leadership Support:
Ginny Tiu
Jason and Beverly Kravitt
Kenneth Robbins and Margery Bronster
Mark and Floria Komer
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Carolyn Berry Wilson
Karelyn and Kenny Lee
Jordan and Andrea Ushijima
Gunner and Susan Schull
Rick and Carol Naish
About Ballet Hawaii
Founded in 1976, Ballet Hawaii’s mission is to teach, promote, produce and present dance in Hawaii. Originally a support group for the Honolulu City Ballet, this non-profit organization is dedicated to enriching Hawaii’s cultural environment and providing opportunities for self-growth while instilling self-esteem and pride in its students, patrons and audiences. Its classes are focused on building confidence through accomplishment, while its presentation of world-class performances provides community with the priceless gift of professional, quality dance.
About Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra
The Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra’s mission is to provide the highest-quality performances of great music, bringing national and international distinction to the orchestra and it’s community; to delight and educate audiences of all ages and backgrounds and enhance the cultural vitality and quality of life in Hawai‘i, and to operate in a financially sound manner. The HSO is uniquely OF Hawai‘i, FOR Hawai‘i, and BY Hawai‘i.
About Hawai‘i Public Radio
HPR is a private, nonprofit organization which broadcasts classical, jazz, and international music; and in-depth news and informational programming from National Public Radio, American Public Media, Public Radio International, and other local, national, and international program sources, as well as programs produced by Hawai‘i Public Radio. Charity Navigator, the premier charity evaluator, has awarded HPR eight consecutive four-star ratings for exceptional fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency. The station won two National Edward R. Murrow Awards for its news coverage of the 2014 Pāhoa lava flow, and a third National Murrow Award for its series on the Thirty Meter Telescope.
