Broadway World: Julius P. Williams Conducts Oakland Symphony in Graham Lustig's THE NUTCRACKER at The Paramount Theatre Dec. 18-19

Julius P. Williams

(swirlymusic.org)

Broadway World:

Oakland Ballet Presents Graham Lustig's THE NUTCRACKER At The Paramount Theatre

Set in Vienna in the posh Edwardian era, Lustig's version of The Nutcracker is based on the original story by E.T.A. Hoffmann.

by A.A. Cristi Nov. 15, 2021  

Returning to Oakland's historic Paramount Theatre December 18 - 19, Oakland Ballet Company will present its annual production of Graham Lustig's The Nutcracker, Saturday at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m, and Sunday at 1 p.m.

With musical accompaniment by the Oakland Symphony alongside the Piedmont East Bay Children's Choir, Graham Lustig's The Nutcracker brings the spirit of the holidays to life. Tickets, starting at $24, are now on sale at Ticketmaster and in person at the Paramount Theatre box office.

Set in Vienna in the posh Edwardian era, Lustig's version of The Nutcracker is based on the original story by E.T.A. Hoffmann, in which a young girl named Marie receives a nutcracker doll from her uncle. Overnight, the doll grows in size, coming to life as the Nutcracker Prince and battling larger-than-life mice and a Rat King. In the second act, Marie and the Nutcracker Prince meet the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier in a magical land of sweets.

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Serving as guest conductor of the Oakland Symphony is Julius P. Williams, currently artistic director and conductor of the Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra in Boston. Among his other roles, Williams serves as music director and conductor of Trilogy: An Opera Company in New Jersey, and as president of the International Conductors Guild.