Photos: Boston's Urban Nutcracker celebrates 25 years

04:09

December 12, 2025

Urban Nutcracker dancers perform in front of a set depicting the Boston skyline in 2024. (Courtesy of the Urban Nutcracker) — Urban Nutcracker dancers perform in front of a set depicting the Boston skyline in 2024. (Courtesy of Peter Paradise via Urban Nutcracker)

"Urban Nutcracker" opens its 25th season Friday at the Boch Center - Shubert Theater. The production riffs on Tchaikovsky’s famed ballet "The Nutcracker,"
incorporating Boston motifs and global dance styles into the performance.

Anthony Williams is the production's creator and showrunner. Born in Jamaica Plain, Williams became the first Black principal dancer for the Boston Ballet in the 1960s. The local details in "Urban Nutcracker" — from three-decker stoops to a glistening skyline backdrop and a tribute for "Make Way For Ducklings" — reflect his roots.

Here’s a look at "Urban Nutcracker" over the years.

Urban Nutcracker ballerinas perform in 2024. (Courtesy of the Urban Nutcracker) — "Urban Nutcracker" ballerinas perform in 2024. (Courtesy of Peter Paradise via Urban Nutcracker)

Sanova Napoleon, left, and Catherine Fortino, two performers in the 2025 "Urban Nutcracker" cast. (Courtesy of Bill Shamlian via Urban Nutcracker) — Sanova Napoleon, left, and Catherine Fortino, right, two performers in the 2025 "Urban Nutcracker" cast. (Courtesy of Bill Shamlian via Urban Nutcracker)

“It's this type of magic where you don't just expect ballet, you expect all these different types of movement and dance.”
Sanova Napoleon, 9, who performs as a mouse, duckling and in 'Tap City'

Duckling performers pose with Urban Nutcracker creator Anthony Williams in Boston Public Garden. (Courtesy of Urban Nutcracker) — Duckling performers pose with Urban Nutcracker creator Anthony Williams in Boston Public Garden. (Courtesy of Nicole Marie Photography via Urban Nutcracker)

Khalid Hill, center, runs through a tap number with Jack Humsey, right, during a rehearsal of "Urban Nutcracker" in 2004. (David Kamerman/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

“That first year, we didn't have costumes for Act One... The second year, we had a Christmas tree and then started to add on. So through the years, the show gets much more professional.”
Anthony Williams, show creator

Urban Nutcracker flamenco dancers perform in 2012. (Patrick Whittemore/Boston Herald via Getty Images) — "Urban Nutcracker" flamenco dancers perform in 2012. (Patrick Whittemore/Boston Herald via Getty Images)

Ballet dancer ChrissyAnn Carpenter at a practice session for The Urban Nutcracker in 2021. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR) — Ballet dancer ChrissyAnn Carpenter at a practice session for the "Urban Nutcracker" in 2021. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

Tisa Napoleon sews a costume for "Urban Nutcracker" in 2025. (Courtesy of Bill Shamlian via Urban Nutcracker)

"Urban Nutcracker" dancers perform in 2024. (Courtesy of Peter Paradise via Urban Nutcracker)

This segment aired on December 12, 2025.

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