New England Ballet Theatre Presents: The Fantastic Toyshop

New England Ballet Theatre (NEBT) presents: The Fantastic Toyshop on Saturday, December 7th at 7:00pm and Sunday, December 8th at 2:00pm at The Theater of Performing Arts at 359 Washington St, Hartford, CT 06106.

This holiday season, NEBT is proud to perform The Fantastic Toyshop for the fourth consecutive year. The production, choreographed by Executive and Artistic Director Rachael Gnatowski, will feature the professional dancers of the company alongside students of the School of NEBT, and students selected from open community auditions. 

To Nutcracker or not to Nutcracker? This was the question NEBT pondered over when forming the company. In the end, NEBT decided to opt for a new holiday ballet, one created specifically for the Greater Hartford community. Inspired by La Boutique Fantasque, a ballet choreographed by Léonide Massine in 1919, their production includes special nods to the city and people of Hartford. You can catch costumes that resemble the Colt Armory, a dance for red harts (deer), even elves that double dutch! This show is pure holiday magic, and fun for all ages. This year’s production will feature new roles and costumes, including a Mountain Laurel (flowers), new backdrops, and magical falling snow!

The ballet follows Virginia, a young girl living in Hartford during World War II, as she visits the G. Fox & Co. Department Store on Christmas Eve. Beatrice Fox Auerbach and her magical dancing dolls dazzle the children, but Virginia’s one true wish is for her father to be with them this Christmas.

Executive and Artistic Director Rachael Gnatowski says, “The Fantastic Toyshop is the perfect way to celebrate the holidays! American Ballet Theatre just debuted a new La Boutique. We are excited to see more versions of La Boutique Fantasque, and feel lucky to have pioneered ours four years ago!”

To purchase tickets, visit neballettheatre.com/fts. Tickets are $30 for general admission. Group discounts are available for groups of 10+. Please email admin@neballettheatre.com for group ticket information.

NEBT The Fantastic Toy Shop, Image credit NEBT