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HPR Presents A Gift To The Community: The Nutcracker

HPR presents a gift to our community with Ballet Hawaii’s The Nutcracker with the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra. A long-standing, cherished tradition, The Nutcracker brings together two of Hawai‘i’s premier cultural organizations to present Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet uniquely set in Hawai‘i in a made-for-television event.

"In a year when so many holiday traditions are on hold, we are delighted to share this beloved holiday performance as a gift to our statewide community. Supporting the arts is more crucial than ever before, and we are glad to partner with HSO and Ballet Hawaii on this exciting project that will be enjoyed by people of all ages throughout Hawai‘i," said José A. Fajardo, HPR President and General Manager.

The broadcast debuts on Saturday, December 19 at 7 PM on KITV Channel 4, with rebroadcasts on December 25 at 7 PM and December 26 at 3:30 PM.

On our own airwaves, we will also broadcast a selection from Act One of The Nutcracker, recently recorded on stage at Hawaii Theatre Center. Hear it December 18 and 24 on locally hosted shows on HPR-2: Morning Café (8 a.m.-noon), Classical Pacific (3-6 p.m.), and Evening Concert (6-8 p.m.).

Full press release below.

“THE NUTCRACKER” MADE FOR TELEVISION BALLET HAWAII and the HAWAI‘I SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA A HOLIDAY GIFT TO THE COMMUNITY

Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra, Dave Moss, Executive Director (808) 380-7722
Ballet Hawaii, John Parkinson, Executive Director (808) 469-4395

HONOLULU – On Saturday, December 19 at 7:00 PM on KITV Channel 4, Hawai‘i Public Radio presents a gift to our community with Ballet Hawaii’s The Nutcracker with the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra. A long-standing, cherished tradition, The Nutcracker brings together two of Hawai‘i’s premier cultural organizations to present Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet uniquely set in Hawai‘i in a made-for-television event. Rebroadcasts will air on December 25 at 7 PM and December 26 at 3:30 PM on KITV Channel 4.

With choreography by Septime Webre, The Nutcracker is set in the 1858 Kingdom of Hawai‘i. An impressive cast of more than 175 performers includes New York City Ballet’s prima ballerina Megan Fairchild and Joaquin DeLuz, Pacific Northwest Ballet principal dancers Lesley Rausch, Lucien Postlewaite, and well-known Carolina Ballet principal dancers Margaret Severin-Hansen and Richard Krusch. The broadcast being produced by Deborah Glazier and Stasia Droze Jost incorporates performances by the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra at the Hawaii Theatre Center from this year, live action shots of cast members attending the first Christmas party in Hawai‘i, narration by Amanda Schull, and previously recorded footage of Ballet Hawaii’s productions of The Nutcracker.

“Everyone involved with the Ballet and the Symphony felt compelled to preserve the annual holiday tradition of The Nutcracker,” said Susan Schull, Chair of Ballet Hawaii Board of Directors. “With performing before a live audience impossible, we came up with a creative way to reach even more people.” Both the Ballet and Symphony credit local businesses for making the broadcast possible. “We couldn’t have done this without the support of our lead sponsor Hawai‘i Public Radio and supporting sponsors Michael J. Marks Foundation, Armstrong Builders, LLC, First Hawaiian Bank, First Insurance Company of Hawaii, and G-70. Their vision means that all of Hawai‘i will enjoy an evening of locally inspired classical entertainment” said Beverly Kravitt, Ballet Hawaii Board of Directors. “They deserve their own round of applause for the vision and leadership they demonstrate for what’s important for the community”, said Paul Kosasa, Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra Board Chair. “The partnership between these two cultural pillars of Hawai‘i is paramount for the success of the arts,” Jason Kravitt, Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors.

“We are pleased that the organizations partnership makes it possible to present Ballet Hawaii’s historical adaptation of the Nutcracker holiday ballet,” said Pamela Taylor Tongg, Ballet Hawaii artistic director. “This adapted for television version is a fresh, new look at this much-loved timeless story. The production celebrates who we are as a community. Audiences will also be awed by the dramatic scenery designed by

Holly Highfill and lit by Trad A Burns. And gorgeous costume design has been provided by Christine Darch, Kini Zamora and Anne Namba.”

Executive Director of the HSO, Dave Moss elaborates “Where else but in Hawai‘i would the project be possible? Our community’s strength is in its ability to respond to challenging environments with resiliency and creativity.”

Special Mahalo to Sponsors
 

Lead Sponsor:
Hawai‘i Public Radio

Supporting Sponsor:
Michael J. Marks Foundation

Major Sponsor: 
Armstrong Builders, LLC 
Davis, Levin, Livingston Charitable Foundation
First Hawaiian Bank
First Insurance Company of Hawaii
G-70
Tongg and Partners

Leadership Support:
Ginny Tiu
Jason and Beverly Kravitt
Kenneth Robbins and Margery Bronster
Mark and Floria Komer
Carolyn Berry Wilson
Karelyn and Kenny Lee

About Ballet Hawaii
Founded in 1976, Ballet Hawaii’s mission is to teach, promote, produce and present dance in Hawaii. Originally a support group for the Honolulu City Ballet, this non-profit organization is dedicated to enriching Hawaii’s cultural environment and providing opportunities for self-growth while instilling self-esteem and pride in its students, patrons and audiences. Its classes are focused on building confidence through accomplishment, while its presentation of world-class performances provides community with the priceless gift of professional, quality dance.

About Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra 
The Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra’s mission is to provide the highest-quality performances of great music, bringing national and international distinction to the orchestra and it’s community; to delight and educate audiences of all ages and backgrounds and enhance the cultural vitality and quality of life in Hawai‘i, and to operate in a financially sound manner. The HSO is uniquely OF Hawai‘i, FOR Hawai‘i, and BY Hawai‘i.

About Hawai‘i Public Radio 
HPR is a private, nonprofit organization which broadcasts classical, jazz, and international music; and in-depth news and informational programming from National Public Radio, American Public Media, Public Radio International, and other local, national, and international program sources, as well as programs produced by Hawai‘i Public Radio. Charity Navigator, the premier charity evaluator, has awarded HPR eight consecutive four-star ratings for exceptional fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency. The station won two National Edward R. Murrow Awards for its news coverage of the 2014 P?hoa lava flow, and a third National Murrow Award for its series on the Thirty Meter Telescope.

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Gough brings more than 15 years of marketing experience to her position at HPR. She most recently served as Director of Marketing at Hawaiian Ola, producer of Hawai‘i-made organic beverages. Prior to that, Gough spent five years at Whole Foods Market, where she oversaw marketing and community engagement for their Hawai‘i stores. She also served as one of the founding co-chairs of Generation Listen, an HPR initiative established with the mission of engaging younger listeners with the station.
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