Jazz Hip-Hop Nutcracker

NOW 2004 Summer Fundraiser! Company Mission Statement Jazz Hip-Hop Nutcracker 2004-05 Season AUDITIONS Booking Information Outreach, Classes and Workshops Reviews Board of Directors Contact us Home

For 4 years Momentum has presented this annual, original production of the Jazz, Hip Hop Nutcracker.  A unique, contemporary  version of the holiday classic, based on Duke Ellington'sversion of Tchaikovsky's score plus fresh hip hop tracks, it features over 30 community children and teens together with the Company and guest artists. With text, rap, jazz, tap, hip hop and breakdance we tell a story of the power of the arts to transform young lives. This show is available for mounting and touring. (Adults and two lead children only on tour.)

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! To all those who helped to make the 2003 Jazz, Hip Hop Nutcracker a success we say a rousing thank you!  Whether you volunteered backstage, at the box office, in the front of the house, getting props, sets or costumes made, helping us with programs or publicity or being an audience member, we couldn't have done it without you!  Momentum appreciates your time, effort and attention to our production.  It is a big job to get 35 children and teens from 3 different dance studios plus 15 adults (the professional company joined by the breakdancers and other gust artists) ready to perform.  The training and focus are intense, the excitement matches the anxiety and the adrenaline kicks in just when it needs to.  When all is said and done, we love doing this production and are happy and grateful that you were a part of it too. On behalf of the entire Momentum Dance Theatre Board of Directors, I wish you the best holiday season ever! Roberta Rothstein Artistic Director

The Jazz, Hip Hop Nutcracker is an original dance theater production created and developed by Momentum featuring Duke Ellington’s musical version of the holiday classic.  Momentum has added hip hop tracks, breakdancing, tap and rap and updated the story to reflect young urban audiences’s sensibilities.  The story shows the power of art to transform and bring hope to young lives.   The production features talented Washington area children and teens trained at Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, DC Dance Collective and The Dance Addition of Takoma Park, joining Momentum’s professional company and breakdancers Lionz of Zion. Momentum has updated and given twists to the story of family, children, toys, magic and transformation. We jump the joint with Ellington’s dynamic music, costumes you might not expect and hip hop's energy, rhythms and unbelievable moves. Instead of mice and soldiers, for example, you will see rats and action figures! The Sugar Plum Fairy?  No way! Get a load of our Sugar Rum Cherry! You will never look at or hear Nutcracker quite the same way again!

Click the reindeer to hear interviews with Artistic Director Roberta Rothstein!