FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Ellen McDonald
816.213.4355
publicity@kcballet.org
For Tickets: 816.931.8993 or www.kcballet.org
Critically Acclaimed
Devon Carney’s
THE NUTCRACKER
Dec. 6-24, 2024 at
the Muriel Kauffman Theatre at
the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Kansas City, MO. (Oct. 21, 2024) — Kansas City Ballet today announced the return of the record-breaking and critically acclaimed production of The Nutcracker presented by Bank of America Dec. 6-24, 2024, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are available to the magical performances at www.kcballet.org or 816.931.8993. High-res rehearsal and past production photos, and designers’ artwork can be found here. Downloadable b-roll can be found here.
Kansas City Ballet’s annual tradition, The Nutcracker, choreography by Devon Carney, continues to awe audiences year after year and was recently hailed as “positively oozing charm” by The Washington Post. The classic Victorian-era story by E.T.A. Hoffman introduces the young and young-at-heart to Clara, the Prince, Dr. Drosselmeier and the Sugar Plum Fairy, all brought to life with captivating choreography and Tchaikovsky’s glorious score, which is performed by the Kansas City Symphony, conducted by Kansas City Ballet Music Director Ramona Pansegrau. Kansas City Ballet Artistic Director Devon Carney says, “Our vibrant production of The Nutcracker is a tradition deeply established in the Kansas City holiday season. It means the world to me to see the joy and sparkle in the eyes of our audiences of all ages, as they are transported to a whimsical winter wonderland and a beautiful land of the sweets in this magical, classic tale. It just wouldn’t be the holidays in Kansas City without our audiences enjoying our wonderful production at the Muriel Kauffman Theatre!”
The Nutcracker
Dec. 6-24, 2024 | Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Choreography by Devon Carney
Music by Peter I. Tchaikovsky performed by Kansas City Symphony
Kansas City Ballet’s annual tradition, The Nutcracker continues to awe audiences year after year and is a
magical theatrical experience wrapped with exquisite costumes, grand sets, and captivating choreography.
Let your wonder ignite and feel the glimmer once more as your childhood dreams return and inspire you to
IMAGINE AGAIN.
Thurs., Dec. 5 6:00 p.m.*
Fri., Dec. 6 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 7 2:00** & 7:30 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 8 1:00 & 5:30 p.m.
Wed., Dec. 11 7:30 p.m.
Thurs., Dec. 12 7:30 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 13 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 14 2:00 & 7:30 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 15 1:00 & 5:30 p.m.
Wed., Dec. 18 7:30 p.m.
Thurs., Dec. 19 7:30 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 20 2:00 & 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 21 2:00 & 7:30 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 22 1:00 & 5:30 p.m.
Mon., Dec. 23 1:00 & 5:30 p.m.
Tues., Dec. 24 1:00 p.m.
(*) Sensory-Friendly Performance
(**) Sugar Plum Fairy Children’s Ball
Ticket Information
The Nutcracker tickets are on sale now. Purchase tickets:
• Online at www.kcballet.org
• By telephone at 816.931.8993.
Ticket prices start at only $34, and subscribers receive a 25-percent discount. There is a $8 Kauffman Center facility fee per ticket and a $5 processing fee per order. Prices are subject to change. Kansas City Ballet’s website is mobile and ticket purchase friendly. The presenting sponsor for The Nutcracker is Bank of America. Additional support for The Nutcracker is provided by YMCA of Greater Kansas City.
Nutcracker Ball
Benefitting Kansas City Ballet and Kansas City Ballet School
Presented by Kansas City Ballet Guild
Friday, Dec. 7, 2024| Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center
Kansas City Ballet Guild is proud to kick-off the coming holiday season with the 57th annual Nutcracker Ball. Delicious cuisine, special presentations by Kansas City Ballet, and after-dinner dancing with music by the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra make this an evening to remember. All proceeds from the Nutcracker Ball support Kansas City Ballet. Presented by Kansas City Ballet Guild.
For reservations or sponsorship information, visit www.kcballetball.org or contact Nutcracker Ball
Chairmen Lynne and Carl Weilert at balletball@kcballet.org.
Sugar Plum Fairy Children’s Ball
Benefitting Kansas City Ballet School
Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 | Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Children’s Ball and Luncheon
An enchanting experience awaits at the Kansas City Ballet’s Sugar Plum Fairy Children’s Ball! Guests will surely feel the magic of the holidays as the Sugar Plum Fairy leads them on an adventure filled with whimsy and wonder. Each child receives a complimentary photo with the Sugar Plum Fairy and face painting with a signature holiday design. Parents will enjoy shopping at the Nutcracker Marketplace and participating in our fantastic silent auction. A delicious three-course luncheon, a performance by students of the Kansas City Ballet School and a reading of Clara’s magical journey to the Land of the Sweets will put guests in the spirit for more adventures to come. The excitement continues as a shuttle transports guests to the 2 p.m. performance of Kansas City Ballet’s The Nutcracker.
This event is committed to raising funds for the Kansas City Ballet School and its scholarship program. For reservations or sponsorship information, visit www.kcballet.org/events/sugar-plum-fairy-childrens-ball or contact Grace Ingham at gingham@kcballet.org.
Sensory-Friendly Performance of The Nutcracker
Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, 6 p.m. | Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Kansas City Ballet is pleased to present a performance of a sensory-friendly The Nutcracker for children, families, and adults with sensory sensitivities, autism spectrum disorder or other special needs. Appropriate changes will be made to this performance to create a welcoming and safe space for all in attendance. We also are pleased to be working with the Kansas City Symphony to provide live music for
Kansas City Ballet’s The Nutcracker returns Dec. 6-24 at the Muriel Kauffman Theatre at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts this performance while remaining sensitive to the needs of our audience. General admission for the
sensory-friendly performance is $25 per person plus a $5 per ticket Kauffman Center surcharge. Call the Kansas City Ballet Box Office, 816.931.8993, to purchase tickets. Not available online. To learn more, please visit www.kcballet.org/events/sensory-friendly-nutcracker.
Family VIP Experience at The Nutcracker
Back by popular demand. For $199 per ticket, families will enjoy Premium Center Mezzanine tickets with
access to a private reception suite before the show and at intermission. Enjoy wine, kid’s drinks, and
holiday treats. Costumed characters from the show will make a special VIP-only appearance at
intermission!
Sun., Dec. 8 1 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 14 2 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 15 1 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 20 2 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 21 2 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 22 1 p.m.
Mon., Dec. 23 1 p.m.
Social Media
Kansas City Ballet’s website is mobile and ticket-purchase friendly. Join the KCB Facebook page and
follow us at @kc.ballet on Instagram and TikTok at @kansascityballet. Watch videos at
www.youtube.com/kansascityballet. Be sure to check out our blog at www.kcballet.org/blog.
Parking and Downtown Information
The Arts District Garage is the primary parking garage for Kansas City Ballet patrons. The garage is directly attached to the Kauffman Center just south of the building with multiple access points to surrounding streets. Purchasing event parking in advance is highly recommended as it often will sell out. Event parking is $13 in advance or $16 at the gate per car for the garage or valet may be purchased in advance for $22 or for $24 upon arrival (if available). Make a night of it! Reserve your room at The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center, partner hotel of Kansas City Ballet. For additional parking and construction information, please visit www.kauffmancenter.org/directions-parking/.
Accessibility
Kansas City Ballet is committed to providing assistance to those with disabilities. Direct questions and requests to the box office at 816.931.8993. Callers who are hearing impaired or hard of hearing can get help with telephone access by using the free relay service — 711.
Sponsors
Support for Kansas City Ballet’s 2024-2025 Season is proudly provided by the Muriel McBrien Kauffman
Family Foundation, the Missouri Arts Council — a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts,
a federal agency.
Media
Visit www.kcballet.org/media-center or www.kauffmancenter.org/media-center for media information
about Kansas City Ballet and the Kauffman Center. Find high-res photos with IDs and photo credits at
www.flickr.com/photos/67555847@N06/sets/, downloadable b-roll with IDs and credits at www.vimeo.com/kcballet and digital content with IDs and credits at www.youtube.com/user/kansascityballet.
About Kansas City Ballet
MISSION: To Inspire and Engage Through the Beauty, Power & Passion of Dance
VISION: Outstanding Dance Experiences Accessible to All
Founded in 1957, Kansas City Ballet is a 30+ member professional ballet company under the direction of Artistic Director Devon Carney and Executive Director David Gray. Kansas City Ballet is a resident company at the world-class Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and each season features an eclectic repertory including traditional classics and exciting contemporary dances. Our professional company, the second company (comprised of KCB II and Trainees), professional dance school, and partnership programs, seek to nurture and develop our artists, audiences, and students in the values inherent in the creativity, diversity, and joy of dance.
Kansas City Ballet reaches more than 20,000 students and adults each year through our many community partnerships and education programs for all ages. The Kansas City Ballet School offers professional dance training for the career-minded student as well as for those simply seeking a healthy lifestyle to over 2,000 students each year in two locations: the Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity in downtown and our South Campus at Meadowbrook in Prairie Village, KS.
Visit www.kcballet.org for more info.
###
Direct all media inquiries to Ellen McDonald, 816.213.4355 or publicity@kcballet.org.
Photo Credit for image on the front page: Kansas City Ballet Dancer: Whitney Huell. Photographer: Kenny Johnson.
