Axelrod Contemporary Ballet Theater (AXCBT), Monmouth County’s only professional ballet company, returns home Axelrod Performing Arts Center with performances from The Nutcracker Rocks.
The ballet is designed, choreographed and directed by AXCBT Artistic Director Gabriel Chajnik, introducing a new holiday tradition for the whole family. The ROCKS Nutcracker reinvents this holiday favorite with a high-octane Jersey Shore rock-and-roll twist.
“The Nutcracker ROCKS is an exciting original collaboration of Jersey Shore talent,” says Chajnik.
For work, Mr. Chajnik invited Alex Levine and Alex Rosamilia, two members of the popular New Jersey rock band, The Gaslight Anthem, and their producing partner Wes Klienknecht to reinvent Tchaikovsky’s beloved “Nutcracker” score for a new generation of rock and theater lovers. Tchaikovsky’s original score was recorded by the MidAtlantic Symphony Orchestra in the Great Auditorium at Ocean Grove, conducted by Maestro Jason Tramm, while the overlying rock element was composed and arranged by X Squared Productions, consisting of Rosamilia, Levine and Klienknecht. The book is written by an actor and librettist trained at Juilliard Reuben Jackson with additions by the writer-actor Jason Cohen. Associate choreographer includes Dylan Pearce of Point Pleasant, whose credits include assistant choreographer of the “Radio City Christmas Spectacular”.
Chajnik says Lincoln Center may have ‘The Nutcracker,’ but the Jersey Shore now has The Nutcracker ROCKS.”
Production begins December 2 at 7:00 p.m. and takes place over two weekends with ten performances in total ending on Sunday, December 11. Ticket prices range from $48 to $54 if purchased before November 26.
Tickets are available online at axelrodartscenter.com/nutcracker-rocks or by calling 732.531.9106 ext. 14. There is a $4.00 setup fee per ticket and an additional $3.50 convenience fee for credit card purchases. Senior and student discounts are available, and special rates are available for groups of ten or more.
Nutcracker ROCKS
at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center
Friday, December 2, 7 p.m.
Saturday December 3 at 2:00 p.m.
Saturday December 3 at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 4 at 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 4 at 5:00 p.m.
Friday, December 9, 7 p.m.
Saturday December 10 at 2 p.m.
Saturday December 10 at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 11 at 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 11 at 5:00 p.m.
The Nutcracker ROCKS follows a bored teenager, Clara, who must endure her family’s posh holiday party on the Upper East Side until her eccentric Uncle Drosselmeyer arrives. Drosselmeyer shakes things up on Manhattan’s distinguished party when he shows up with his rock music, magical toys, and a special gift for Clara: a Nutcracker holding an electric guitar! Drosselmeyer then transports Clara to a magical land – the Jersey Shore – where the traditional Land of Sweets is more of a candy store in Asbury Park.
The cast consists of AXCBT company members and students (ages 7+) from local dance studios who attended an intensive ROCKS Nutcracker with Mr. Chajnik and the AXCBT dancers.
Axelrod Contemporary Ballet Theater (AXCBT) strives to cultivate an environment rooted in diversity, inspiration, encouragement and equality where all are welcome and heard. Listening and learning are at the heart of our commitments to changing policies, attitudes and habits that are inconsistent with our core values. Gabriel Chajnik has assembled a community of skilled artists, each unique and necessary for the growth of AXCBT and its audience. AXCBT is proud of its perseverance in the face of the challenges of 2020 and the company’s continued dance education. Mr. Chajnik and his dancers aim to develop creativity and appreciation for the arts throughout New Jersey, inviting patrons, students and artists to join them in this rewarding endeavor.
The Axelrod Performing Arts Center produces its own professional musicals and ballets for the Jersey Shore in collaboration with Broadway directors, choreographers and designers, featuring professional actors, dancers and singers. The Axelrod Performing Arts Center encourages artistic excellence by presenting diverse and distinct cultural programs that enrich the imaginative, intellectual and creative soul, inspire Jewish travel, and cultivate an appreciation for our diverse communities through the pursuit of the arts. A 501c3 organization, Axelrod PAC’s financial support comes from individuals, foundations and grants that enable the arts center to present events and programs throughout the year. We would like to thank our patrons and donors who annually support the Axelrod Performing Arts Center.
AXCBT Artistic Director Gabriel Chajnik received undergraduate dance training at the Julliard School, under legendary Juilliard instructor, mentor and Maestro Emeritus of Juilliard Faculty, Héctor Zaraspe. Mr. Chajnik’s work has been performed at the Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, Shakespeare Theater in Washington, D.C., Alice Tully Hall, Clark Theater at Lincoln Center, Manhattan Movement and Arts Center and at the Lambs Theatre. As an educator, he has taught various dance technique classes at renowned dance schools such as Brooklyn Music School (NY), Princeton Ballet School (NJ), Academy of Dance Arts (NJ) and Gotta Dance (NJ). Mr. Chajnik merged his two passions of choreography and education by establishing the Axelrod Contemporary Ballet Theater (AXCBT), the first professional dance company in the Monmouth County area, and the Axelrod Performing Arts Academy ( APPA), both with the help of Axelrod Performing Arts Center President Elise Feldman. Mr. Chajnik was honored by the Jewish Federation of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties. In September 2021, Monmouth Arts honored Gabriel for his work in the community during the pandemic.
