Dec 13 — Dec 15

The Nutcracker

The story of The Nutcracker is loosely based on the E.T.A. Hoffmann fantasy story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, about a girl who befriends a nutcracker that comes to life on Christmas Eve and wages a battle against the evil Mouse King. COCA’s Ballet Eclectica performs an exciting adaptation of the beloved holiday classic choreographed by internationally recognized dancer and choreographer Tom Gold and set to the original score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. This thrilling new version follows the lead characters on an enchanting journey through historical landmarks, with characters inspired by famous staples of St. Louis!

Featuring Guest Artists:

JiaLi Deck, COCA Alumna

Carly Greene, Dance Theatre of Harlem

David Wright, Dance Theatre of Harlem

Recommended for Ages 4+

Run Time: 2 hours

Tickets now on sale!

For the 7:00PM performance on Saturday, December 14, patrons are encouraged to arrive early to find parking due to multiple events at COCA and Washington University 560 building. Please plan accordingly.

Dec 13 — Dec 15

The Nutcracker

December 13 – December 15

$31

Discipline

Dance

Add On: Allegro Caroling

FRI, DEC 13 | 6:15–7:00PM

SAT, DEC 14 | 6:30–7:00PM

Join us for caroling with COCA’s Allegro Vocal Company. This is a free add-on experience. Tickets and reservations are not required.

Add On: Afternoon Nutcracker Tea

SAT, DEC 14 | 5:00PM, between 3:00PM & 7:00PM Performances

Join us for afternoon tea. Enjoy a variety of sweet & savory treats catered by Butler’s Pantry and come in your best dress! We will have a character parade from The Nutcracker company, pop-up shops, and more! This is a ticketed event. Tickets are $25 per person.

Purchase Tickets

About Tom Gold, Choreographer

Tom Gold was a member of the New York City Ballet for 21 years (1987–2008), rising to the rank of soloist. He has performed leading roles in works by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and others. Internationally in demand as a guest artist and choreographer, Gold has created original works for Tom Gold Dance and institutions like Vassar College and Oregon Ballet Theater. His choreography has been featured in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Bravo’s Odd Mom Out. Gold won the 2016 Overall Excellence Award at the NYC Fringe Festival for The Joey Variations: A Play With Dance. He has collaborated with composers like John Zorn and Pink Martini’s Thomas Lauderdale. Praised as “perhaps an even finer choreographer than he was a dancer” (Critical Dance), he innovates while staying true to classical technique.