A&A Ballet’s Critically Acclaimed Art Deco Nutcracker 2024

In an era where representation in the arts is more important than ever, A&A BALLET’s Art Deco Nutcracker 2024 sets a powerful example by celebrating diversity on stage with the most diverse and international cast yet. Blending the exuberance of the 1920s with the timeless tale of The Nutcracker, the company’s production has quickly become a Chicago holiday tradition, capturing the hearts of audiences young and old.

The vibrant “roaring” era costumes and stunning choreography directed by the acclaimed Alexei Kremnev 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.