Since 2002, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre has mounted annual holiday performances of “The Nutcracker” with a Pittsburgh-centered twist.
This year, they’re adding an even bigger dose of the ’Burgh with guest appearances by 14 local celebrities throughout 12 shows.
“I think ‘The Nutcracker’ is a tradition on which people and families can rely,” said Adam W. McKinney, artistic director of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. “It’s an important tradition in the United States and particularly in Pittsburgh because our performance — which was choreographed by Terrence S. Orr in 2002 — is particularly situated in Pittsburgh.”
McKinney said that the production is set in Pittsburgh, and that’s reflected in the props, the backdrops and the story itself.
“I think it’s really exciting for our production for families to come and see themselves and their city portrayed on stage,” he said.
“The Nutcracker” will run through Dec. 27 at the Benedum Center, and the 14 guest stars will appear over 12 of the 21 shows.
Guest stars will include KDKA news anchor Kristine Sorenson, Chloe Lukasiak of “Dance Moms” fame, former Steeler Charlie Batch and several others.
That also includes Page Weinstein, 2024’s Miss Pennsylvania and a Pittsburgh native, who will appear at the 7 p.m. performance Dec. 13.
“I have actually performed in ‘The Nutcracker’ since I was a little girl,” said Weinstein, who attended Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School and has a degree in dance from the University of Alabama.
“I’m very familiar with ‘The Nutcracker’ but I’m extremely honored to be performing ‘The Nutcracker’ with professional ballerinas,” she said.
The celebrities will have walk-on roles during the party scene in the first act of “The Nutcracker.” While they won’t have to execute any complicated dance moves, they’re partnered with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre artists onstage to do some improvisation during their appearance.
“It’s a great opportunity not only to bring new guests onto stage, but also dance with us, and to involve potentially new audiences and to communicate that ballet really is for everyone. Ballet is for all,” McKinney said.
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Musician and rapper Frzy — who will be onstage during the evening performance Dec. 21 — was excited to be tapped for the show.
“That is so cool to me and I have such respect for the ballerinas and what they do. … The hard work that it takes and the dedication and the sacrifice and the pain,” he said.
He’s under no illusions that he’s graceful enough to pull off any fancy ballet moves. “I’m just trying to get Jordans that fit my feet, let alone curl in them,” he joked. “I always respect people who are able to move on the fly and are light on their feet.”
And this is, for him, an opportunity to expand his horizons. “It’s cool to be guided and it’s cool to be taught and to come there as a student and come into somebody’s house as a guest. So I’m excited just to be the best guest I could be.”
Frzy has appeared in Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s “The Nutcracker” previously, and he’s hoping it goes as well this year.
“Last year when I got a chance to come out, the crowd cheered really loud and I love that. It was a really cool moment that they really gave so much support to the guests. They really showed us a lot of love,” he said.
This adaptation of the classic 1892 ballet — based originally on the 1816 E.T.A. Hoffmann short story “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” — takes place during Pittsburgh’s Gilded Age at a home in Shadyside on Christmas Eve. Young girl Marie Stahlbaum is gifted an enchanted nutcracker doll. The tale includes a battle scene, awe-inspiring sets and costumes and a lot of Christmas magic.
PBT’s production includes more than 150 costumes and more than 100 artists from their professional company and PBT School.
Lindsay Ward, an anchor for KDKA-TV News, has loved the ballet since she was a little girl. She jumped at the opportunity.
“I used to collect little ballerina trinkets and things like that and I used to watch ‘The Nutcracker’ on TV. And I used to pretend I was a ballerina,” Ward said.
This is a repeat performance for her — she’s guest-starred previously. She can also channel her dance background to stave off nerves onstage.
“I have a lot of experience and background of being on stage. … So when they told me, you’ll be doing this and doing that, I was like, OK, I can act the part and literally, I just had to channel my limited acting abilities, and just really have fun with it.”
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She’s always dazzled by the PBT dancers. “The talent there is incredible. Not only are they just super easy to work with, but they were just so helpful.”
In the spirit of the holiday season, PBT is also giving back with this production. Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch and his wife, Latasha Wilson-Batch, will be guest stars at the 7 p.m. performance Dec. 7. Partnering with their Best of the Batch Foundation, they will bring about 30 kids to see the performance and get a backstage tour.
The Benedum Center will be a drop-off location for the foundation’s “Batch-A-Toys” drive during the show’s opening weekend.
PBT will also accept donations for the Pittsburgh Community Food Bank through Dec. 15 at its Strip District studios, 2900 Liberty Ave. As a bonus, those who bring in donations will receive a coupon for 30% off select “Nutcracker” shows.
While the choreography by Orr has been an annual fixture in Pittsburgh since 2002, McKinney said the company will be looking to something different in the near future.
“As we look forward to 2026, when we will be producing a new ‘Nutcracker’ — all-new sets, all new costumes, all new choreography — we, too, look forward to involving local guests in the production,” he said.
For tickets to “The Nutcracker,” visit pbt.org.