See 'The Nutcracker Rocks' In Deal, A Rock Ballet Christmas Classic

DEAL, NJ — See "The Nutcracker ROCKS" at the Axelrod Contemporary Ballet Theater in Deal this December.

This is a "rock ballet" conceived, choreographed and directed by Axelrod Contemporary Ballet Theatre artistic director Gabriel Chajnik, who reinvents this holiday favorite with a high-octane, rock-and-roll Jersey Shore twist.

"The Nutcracker ROCKS" follows a bored teen Clara, who must endure her family’s posh holiday party on the Upper East Side until her eccentric Uncle Drosselmeyer arrives. Uncle Drosselmeyer shakes things up when he transports Clara to a magical land — the Jersey Shore — where the traditional Land of Sweets is instead a candy shop in Asbury Park.The cast is comprised of Axelrod Ballet company members and students (ages 7+) from local dance studios in Monmouth and Ocean counties.

“Lincoln Center may have ‘The Nutcracker,’ but the Jersey Shore now has The Nutcracker ROCKS," said Chajnik.

The show also stars Josh Canfield, actor and former CBS "Survivor" contestant, who will reprise his role as Clara’s eccentric rocker Uncle Drosselmeyer in the ballet. Canfield has appeared on Broadway and Off-Broadway.

"The Nutcracker Rocks" begins on December 2 and runs through Dec. 11.

The production opens on December 2at 7:00 p.m. and runs over two weekends with ten total performances ending on Sunday, December 11. Ticket prices range from $32 to 46, with student tickets available for $20.

Tickets are available online https://www.axelrodartscenter.... or by calling 732.531.9106, extension 14. Special rates are available for groups of ten or more. Or buy tickets day of the show at the door.

Showtimes:

December 2 (7PM)

December 3 (2PM and 7PM)

December 4 (1PM and 5PM)

December 9 (7PM)

December 10 (2PM and 7PM)

December 11 (1PM and 5PM)