topOctober 24, 2003
www.bostonballet.org
For Immediate Release
(BOSTON)- Boston Ballet was notified this week by Josiah Spaulding, president and CEO of The Wang Center for the Performing Arts, that The Wang Center plans to book a commercial show in December, 2004, the time period traditionally reserved for Boston Ballet's The Nutcracker. Boston Ballet was informed that, in an attempt to boost Wang Center sales revenue, a touring version of New York City's Radio City Music Hall Christmas show will replace Boston Ballet's Nutcracker at The Wang Theatre. This year's performances of The Nutcracker- November 28 to December 30, 2003 - will go on as scheduled at The Wang Theatre.
Boston Ballet has immediately begun preparations for presenting next season's The Nutcracker at another Boston venue. A task force consisting of Boston Ballet Trustees, Company leadership, and production staff will identify The Nutcracker 2004 performance site. Executive Director Valerie Wilder called The Wang's decision "unfortunate," but is energetically pursuing the range of exciting 2004 Nutcracker venue possibilities already beginning to emerge in Boston and is confident that a wonderful new home will be found for this beloved Boston tradition. "The show will go on," said Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen.
The greater Boston community and audiences from around the region have attended Boston Ballet's Nutcracker at The Wang Theatre for over 30 years. Then known as The Music Hall, The Wang Theatre first became home to this classic in 1968. Boston Ballet's beloved production of The Nutcracker is a family tradition for generations of Bostonians and New Englanders, and is seen each year by over 120,000 people, the largest audience for any production of The Nutcracker in the country. Over 400 Boston Ballet School children from communities in and around the city are cast in The Nutcracker, where they experience the magic of performing in an ensemble that includes over 50 professional dancers and 50 orchestra members, along with stage crew, costumers, and a score of others behind the scenes.
Boston Ballet has been The Wang Center's largest non-profit tenant and an acknowledged partner for decades, annually bringing 240,000 people into the theater for the Company's entire season of ballet productions. The Company opened its 40th Anniversary Season at The Wang Theatre on October 16 with a handsomely refurbished and well-received production of Rudolf Nureyev's Don Quixote. Later this season, Boston Ballet School will mark the 50th anniversary of its founding by E. Virginia Williams.
Tickets for this year's performances of Boston Ballet's The Nutcracker and regular season productions, including Stars and Stripes, Don Quixote, Lady of the Camellias, Drink To Me… and Swan Lake, are now on sale, and can be purchased by calling Telecharge at 1-800-447-7400.
MEDIA NOTE: For more information please contact Tiffany Kehayoglou at 617-456-6240, tkehayoglou@bostonballet.com
For more information on the 40th Anniversary Season, please contact the Boston Ballet Box Office at 617-695-6955 or log onto the Boston Ballet website, www.bostonballet.org
topLet me open this letter by saying that I am a subscribing member of Boston Ballet, and that I attend about four ballets a year at the Wang Center. I also take open classes both at the Boston studios, and at the Metro West studios. I am 23 years old, and recently received a B.S. in electrical engineering from WPI.
The Wang Center's decision to not invite Boston Ballet's Nutcracker to perform during the 2004 season is extremely disappointing. This move shows that the Wang Center does not have faith in their resident ensemble to transition through both a new director and hard economic times. It is my belief that Boston Ballet is the best ballet company in the United States - both for their ability and character. They need the support of their venue to be able to provide more stunning performances.
I don't see Boston's Nutcracker every season, primarily because it is so expensive - even at member rates. But the Nutcracker is not performed for people like me. I have danced in the Nutcracker before (with the Performing Arts School of Worcester), and I've seen it performed by a couple of different companies, including Boston. The Nutcracker is for people to bring their families - for young children to see their first ballet. It's those people who have been hit the hardest by the economy's downturn, those same people who decided to put off seeing the Nutcracker until next season.
I was at the Wang Center last Saturday evening to see Jennifer Gelfand's farewell performance as she danced the lead in Don Quixote. It marked one of the most significant changes to happen to the Company since Mikko Nissinen took over as director (besides the letting go of the part-time faculty). Now it seems another significant change may be coming. Proceeds from the Nutcracker are such a large part of Boston Ballet's operating budget that there is no way they can afford a mediocre location next season. However, as a fan I can say that I would understand if Boston Ballet decided to move out of the Wang Center altogether to find a new home.
Maybe Boston Ballet can move to Worcester? It's a far cheaper place to live. We've got over ten colleges in the area, including WPI, Clark University, and Holy Cross College. We've got a performing arts school that attracts such guest teachers as David Howard. Our arts district is growing steadily. We're in the process of renovating an old downtown theatre to attract Broadway shows. We're under an hour away from Springfield, Hartford, Boston, and Providence. Think about it . . . it could work.
Either way, I will continue to go to the ballet, no matter where it is performed. This holiday season I'll be seeing Jennifer Gelfand and Paul Thrussell in Ballet New England's Nutcracker. I also plan on bringing my dance students from Dance Techniques, a studio I teach at in Spencer, to see Boston Ballet's Swan Lake.
Sincerely,
Andrew Keefe
November 3, 2003
topDear Mr Keefe:
Thank you for taking the time to e-mail me. I always enjoy hearing what people have to say. As you know, I am a big supporter of the arts. I am working hard to keep the Nutcracker in Boston at an appropriate venue. Like you, I believe that it is one of Boston's best holiday traditions. Thank you again for e-mailing me.
Sincerely,
Thomas M. Menino
Mayor of Boston
topAndrew:
I am pleased to respond to your recent email at the request of the Mayor regarding your interest/suggestion in having Worcester host the Boston Ballet. These tough financial times are, unfortunately, forcing many businesses and nonprofit organizations alike, including those as long and well established as the Wang, to reconsider, streamline, and, in many cases, reduce their operations to ensure their long-term survival. I will share your suggestions with the folks at Mechanics Hall for them to pursue if they choose. Having schooled at PASOW, you know that Worcester hosts the Nutcracker annually as a holiday tradition - this event has been held at the Worcester State College auditorium for the past many years. I am hopeful that PASOW's performance this year might benefit from Boston's misfortune in attracting many regular attendees of the Boston Ballet's Nutcracker. Thank you and I am pleased to know you are working to continue to ensure Worcester's (and the state's) high quality of cultural life.
-Christine
[Christine Proffitt]
topI want to take this opportunity to respond to your correspondence, and your concerns about The Wang Center's decision not to accommodate Boston Ballet's The Nutcracker in 2004. Much has been written about this in the press of late, and I want to clarify our motivation around this very difficult decision in the midst of much speculation and misinterpretation.
The Wang Center is determined to provide a balance of programming from regional, national and international companies. We do this in the face of ever-changing economic and competitive pressures, and out of a critical responsibility to maintain our own financial stability as a not-for-profit entity.
We think it equally important to provide a nurturing and supportive environment for the growth of our artistic constituents - our partners: The Boston Lyric Opera, FleetBoston Celebrity Series, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company and, yes, Boston Ballet. We are currently in dialog with the Ballet regarding our on-going support, and the continuation of their subscription season programming in future years. However, I want to point out that each of these cultural entities is a non-profit organization, like The Wang Center, with its own board, executive leadership and mission. While we all collaborate, none are responsible for the success or failure of the other, and I will not comment on the financial health and well being of any of our resident companies in a public forum. Rather, we are committed to remaining fiscally healthy to support the entire community.
Almost weekly we read about the stress and strain on our not-for-profit colleagues - The New England Aquarium, The Horticultural Society, Zoo New England, Boston Ballet - and The Wang Center is no exception. Our city, our region, our demographics, all are in constant evolution; in order to compete, we must respond with new strategies to meet the needs of new audiences that are redefining our cultural landscape.
We remain determined to lead that change.
I appreciate your heartfelt concerns about the future of our arts community as a whole.
Sincerely,
Josiah A. Spaulding, Jr.
President & CEO
The Wang Center for the Performing Arts