Beck Dance presents Nutcracker...Jazzed Up!

Beck Center’s Dance Workshop and Dance Education program present Nutcracker…Jazzed Up!, a contemporary twist on the classic Tchaikovsky tale, December 3 and 4, 2011 in the Recital Hall of the Music-Armory Building at Beck Center. Performance times are 4 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, December 3 and 1 and 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 4.

Performed by an ensemble of 60 dancers, Nutcracker…Jazzed Up! tells the endearing story of The Nutcracker in a nontraditional setting through ballet, contemporary dance, hip hop, jazz, and tap.

This holiday production features original choreography by Melanie Szucs, Beck Center’s associate director of Dance Education, and fellow faculty members Louise Hadaway, Wannetta Scott and Mimi Schwensen. Featured dancers include Alexandra Cassidy (Cleveland), Taylor Gerrasch (Rocky River), Julia Horner (Cleveland), Abby Schneider (Lakewood), Becky Steffen (Westlake), and Kelly Tomko (North Ridgeville). 

On Saturday, December 10, the ensemble will take the show on the road and perform the piece for elderly residents at Lakewood Senior Health, Ennis Court and Eliza Jennings. This has become an annual tradition for Beck Center dancers who have shared their talents with the community during the holiday season for the past six years.