The Flamenco Nutcracker Press Kit — The Flamenco Nutcracker

PRESS RELEASE - THE FLAMENCO NUTCRACKER

Beloved Holiday Classic Reimagined: Flamenco Nutcracker weaves elements of original Tchaikovsky with music of Spain and Hispanic diaspora

Milwaukee -- A little girl falls asleep after a ‘Noche Buena’ (Christmas Eve) celebration, and her dream takes an exciting turn to a magical place familiar to fans of The Nutcracker, but with a Sugar Plum Fairy who plays castanets, a Mouse King replaced by a Raven Queen, and a Nutcracker Prince turned Matador Prince. Award-winning Flamenco guitarist and composer Marija Temo creates a dynamic, live soundscape weaving the original Tchaikovsky with Flamenco that will enthrall audiences, while setting the stage for the dazzling and powerful footwork of guest artist from Spain, José Junco and Studio K Flamenco Artistic Director Kerensa DeMars, an internationally acclaimed choreographer and dancer.

The Flamenco Nutcracker returns to the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center for its fourth season on Saturday, Dec. 9, with performances at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Adult Premium seats are $40 and all other seats are $30. Student admission is $15 for all seats with free admission for children under age 4. The venue at 901 15th Ave., in South Milwaukee, has parking and is accessible. Tickets and more information, including a video trailer, are at http://flamenconutcracker.com/. Running time is 65 minutes with no intermission.

Our story, set in Spain, begins during the Christmas Eve celebration known as Noche Buena often spent around a bonfire instead of a tree.Little Clara receives a Matador Doll from her doting ‘tías’ (aunties) and the magic begins. You won’t want to miss the dream sequence that follows, including the Duel between the Matador Prince and the Raven Queen – the wise forest witch who cast a spell on him. New this year is an interpretation of the Waltz of the Flowers in the powerful 12/8 rhythm of the ‘bulerías’ made famous by Paco de Lucia. Not to spoil the ending, but the audience may be moved to join the final chorus in Spanish alongside Maria Valentina Delgado, a virtuosic pianist and Venezuelan native joining the Flamenco Nutcracker cast for the first time this year.

Studio K will present a traveling version of The Flamenco Nutcracker at Milwaukee Public Schools sites throughout the month of December in partnership with the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music.

The Flamenco Nutcracker is made possible by the generous support of Bader Philanthropies, the United Performing Arts Fund and the Milwaukee Arts Board. The guest artists are sponsored by the Knickerbocker on the Lake and the Herzfeld Foundation.

The Flamenco Nutcracker Cast:

The Flamenco Nutcracker features guest dancer from Spain, José Junco (dance, choreography), Studio K Flamenco Artistic Director Kerensa DeMars (dance, choreography, artistic direction), guest dancer Melissa Cruz and the Studio K Company Dancers with music by two Wisconsin Conservatory of Music faculty: Guitar Chair Marija Temo (guitar, vocals, musical direction) and pianist Maria Valentina Delgado. Also, percussionist Andy Miller, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee faculty, and music director of the dance department.

About the Presenting Organization, Studio K Flamenco:

Studio K Flamenco is committed to preserving the cultural integrity of Flamenco and bringing the beauty and power of this traditional art form to the community in Milwaukee and beyond. The art of Flamenco was recognized as a World Heritage Treasure by the United Nations in 2010.

With accomplished Flamenco artist and Wisconsin native Kerensa DeMars at the helm as artistic director, Studio K Flamenco has an 18-year history of presenting Flamenco music and dance concerts. The studio relocated to Milwaukee from San Francisco, CA in August 2019. In San Francisco, productions included Volver, which premiered to sold out audiences at San Francisco’s Brava Theater in 2019.

In Milwaukee, Studio K’s programs include the FlamencoMKE performance series, bilingual programs in schools, classes for youth, adults, and seniors and the annual Flamenco Nutcracker.