This weekend we were guests of the washington ballet and were treated to a fabulous performance of septime webres the nutcracker at the historic warner theater. A definite mustsee on everyones holiday list, septime webres the nutcracker returns to the warner theatre to offer a unique twist on this family favorite. Previously he served as artistic director of the american repertory ballet, based in princeton, new jersey. The production by twsb and twb founder mary day was performed in constitution hall and, beginning in 1992, at the warner theatre. Washington ballets septime webre to depart the georgetowner. In somewhat of a surprise announcement, septime webre, the washington ballets dynamic artistic director for the past 17 years, said he will be leaving the company in june to focus on creating new works and directing. The nutcracker at the washington ballet by carolyn.
Septime webre is an internationally recognised ballet director, choreographer, educator and advocate. Since we have already seen the performance by ballet west this one in d. It includes the heroic george washington as the nutcracker, king george iii as the rat king, shimmering. Washington ballets nutcracker brings international talent to. Members of the cast of the nutcracker from the washington ballet photo.
Septime webrea the nutcracker was fantastic warner theatre washington one of the most beautiful performances of nutcracker ive seen. After 17 years with the washington ballet, septime webre hopes to mould the hong kong company into a forwardthinking troupe with exquisite classical standards. Webre s version sets the tchaikovsky classic in 19th century washington. Set in historic georgetown with historical figures and whimsical touches. Septime webre, who created this version of the holiday ballet in 2004 while serving as the washington ballets artistic director, is a masterful. Webres version sets the tchaikovsky classic in 19th century washington. In a septime webre production, weve learned, more is never enough. Go behind the scenes and see how the washington ballets beloved nutcracker is staged.
The washington ballet presents septime webres the nutcracker dcs perennial favorite. This year, the washington ballet celebrates its 10th year of the nutcracker, which first premiered december 2004. This sumptuous production showcases the grandeur of the washington ballets international roster of dancers and majestic tchaikovsky score. Wtops jason fraley speaks with the washington ballet about their annual production of the nutcracker as reimagined by septime webre. Washington ballets nutcracker brings international. Ndlovu and collaborator septime webre, artistic director of the washington ballet, use the abstract forms of the artwork and the mythical characters backstory as inspiration. Washington ballet presents the nutcracker ballet in. Nutcracker ballet nutcracker ballet performances in. Like the pied piper, his energy captivated audiences.
Experience the magic of the washington ballets charminglydc the nutcracker. Today, as artistic director of the washington ballet, webres imagination is no less vivid or expansive. Photo by the washington ballets official facebook page. On the heels of benjamin millepieds startling resignation announcement last week, the washington ballet has disclosed the impending departure of septime webre. Twb celebrates 15 years of septime webres the nutcracker november 24december 28, split between two different theaters. Septime webre steps down from the washington ballet. This celebrated production is set in historic georgetown with george washington and king george iii among other historical figures. Hong kong ballets new artistic director septime webre. Septime webre, artistic director of the washington ballet since 1999, says he worked to fuse classical ballet elements with contemporary and popular art during his tenure. The nutcracker in utah by ballet west makes this one look dumb. It is an incredibly difficult thing to create something that is both classic and unique, but that is exactly what the washington ballet has done with their annual version of the iconic holiday ballet the nutcracker. The washington ballet presents septime webres the nutcracker.
In 2004, the company premiered a new allamerican version of the nutcracker by artistic director septime webre, designed just for washington, dc. The washington ballet presents 10 years of septime webres the. Septime webre, himself, set the tone for his production of the nutcracker when he came out to introduce the ballet and extend a warm welcome to the audience. The washington ballet takes you backstage at septime webre. Set in georgetown, this special holiday performance features a dc spin on the classic tale. Septime webre, who created this version of the holiday ballet in 2004 while serving as the washington ballets artistic director, is a masterful choreographer of children. Septime webres nutcracker 3515 wisconsin ave nw washington dc 20016. Webre has turned the washington ballet into an electric and eclectic company that both forged new paths and drew large audiences at the.
I remember septime webre bounding onto the kennedy center stage to give a preperformance talk for the washington ballet audience. In october 2000, webre led the washington ballet on an historic tour of havana, making it the first american ballet company to perform in cuba since 1960. Septime webre, the artistic director at the washington ballet, will step down after 17 years, the ballet company announced friday. The washington ballet performs septime webres the nutcracker through december 23, 2012 at the warner theatre 5 th street, nw, in washington, dc. The nutcracker was first mounted by the washington ballet in 1961. He is the artistic director of the hong kong ballet after 17 years as artistic director of the washington ballet from 19992016. Every year, the washington ballet showcases four significant events attracting philanthropy as well as entertainment from all over the state. Buy septime webres the nutcracker tickets from the official ticketmaster. Septime webres critically acclaimed the nutcracker transports you back in time to historic washington, dc and stars george washington as. Earlier this year, he launched halcyon stage, a program that hosts performances at georgetowns historic halcyon houseonce a goto place for 19thcentury socialitesand will partner. The washington ballets new 20142015 season is the season of anniversaries. By the time the run is completed on december 29th, the cast. Set in historic 1882 georgetown, this production features historical figures.
Washington ballet just announced their 20172018 season. He is the artistic director of the hong kong ballet after 17. The washington ballets holiday production of tchaikovskys the nutcracker, choreographed by septime webre. Among the holiday seasons many happy tidings is the arrival of the washington ballets annual production of the nutcracker, staged to beautiful perfection in the gilded loveliness of warner theatre. The washington ballets septime webre to step down pointe. Webre created his takes on the great gatsby in 2010 and the sun also rises in 20. This celebrated production has become dcs perennial holiday favorite. The washington ballet performance of the nutcracker. Twb celebrates 15 years of septime webre s the nutcracker november 24december 28, split between two different theaters. Set in historic 1882 georgetown, this production features historical figures like george washington and king george iii.
The washington ballet hosts military appreciation night. Septime webre artistic director, washington ballet. Tickets are still available for every showing, but act fast if you want to experience the dance of the sugarplum fairy and more. Dont wait relieve the joy and wonder of the holiday season as only washington ballet creative director septime webre could imagine it get your incredible the nutcracker washington, dc tickets now. Choreography by septime webre music by pyotr ilyich. According to an interview in a local washington, dc, weekly, at ten years old septime webre was already directing his siblings hes one of nine and the neighborhood kids in his own plays, including his initial offering, the case of the recurring ennui. The washington ballets nutcracker provides a gloriously enchanting evening of monumental fun. Another literary adaptation, of alices adventures in wonderland, has been produced in colorado, ohio, and hawaii and is. Twb celebrates 10 years of septime webres the nutcracker.
Septime webres the nutcracker tickets ticketmaster. Legend julie kent stages her first washington ballet. Marking its 11th anniversary, artistic director septime webres washingtoncentric account of the holiday ballet fete opens in a wellappointed georgetown mansion of 1882. By mixing a formal ballet vocabulary with elements of pop culture, webres edgy choreography draws sellout crowds. Replete with swirling snowflakes, cherry blossoms and historical characters, including george washington as the heroic nutcracker, twbs the nutcracker has become a tradition for generations of family and friends to celebrate the holidays. Former washington ballet artistic director septime webres fastpaced version is tailored specially to the district, complete with butterfly and frontier girls, a. The nutcracker at the washington ballet at the warner. Septime webre, who created this version of the holiday ballet in 2004 while serving as the washington ballet s artistic director, is a masterful choreographer of children. The washington ballet twb is an ensemble of professional ballet dancers based. The washington ballet twb will celebrate its presentation of septime webres the nutcracker at the historic warner theatre in washington, dc, december 4 through december 28. In addition to the performances at the warner theatre, twbs the nutcracker will present four performances at thearc theater in southeast dc on november 29 and 30. Septime webre, artistic director of washington ballet, to. Earlier iterations included interpretations of the sun also rises and the great gatsby. In 2004, the washington ballet premiered webres the nutcracker.
Septime webre is an internationally recognized ballet director, choreographer, educator and advocate. Webres nutcracker is a demonstration of not just exceptional performance and dazzling costumes, but deep community roots in its diverse and locally. Now, renowned ballerina julie kent stages her first season of tchaikovskys the nutcracker as the new artistic director of the washington ballet now through dec. This season he joins hong kong ballet as its artistic director after 17 years as artistic director of the washington ballet in washington dc, us from 19992016. Im not sure there are words to truly capture the magic that is seeing septime webres the nutcracker performed by the washington ballet at warner theatre my sixyearold daughter and i attended a performance this past weekend and it was absolutely spectacular everything about the experience is memorable and whimsical. The washington ballets nutcracker is set in historic georgetown and features historical figures. Today, with artistic director septime webre as the leader, the washington ballet continues to follow and maintain its name among the most famous ballet companies in america. He was excited about the choreography we were about to see and proud of his dancers. It was inevitable that septime webre, who stepped down as artistic director of the washington ballet in june, would be back on the local arts scene soon. Septime webre creates a nutcracker masterpiece, weaving the fabric of washington life throughout the performance.
A particular dc tradition these last many years has been washington ballet performing a production choreographed by its former artistic director septime webre who has moved on to lead the hong kong ballet. This month, the washington ballets the nutcracker returns to warner theatre, marking the 16th anniversary of septime webres reimagining as a d. The washington ballets brofriendly nutcracker washington post. By the time the run is completed on december 29th, the cast will have included scores, if not hundreds, of dancers, as the principal players are supplemented by students from the affiliated washington school of ballet which this year marks its 75th anniversary. His relaxed, playful intro acknowledged the allages crowd, particularly as he primed us on how to cheer for the dancers. Set in washington, dc and filled with hints of americana, this production features the heroic george washington as the nutcracker, king george. Septime webre took over as artistic director of the washington ballet in 1999, and has since transformed the oncetraditional institution into one of the countrys most innovative ballet companies. Sleepy hollow is the third in a series of webre compositions the ballet calls the american experience.