Carlos Acosta brings the streets of Havana to 'The Nutcracker' with new take on holiday ballet

International ballet superstar Carlos Acosta speaks at a presentation for media about his brand-new production 'Nutcracker in Havana' at the Carlos Acosta Dance Studios in London, Monday, March 4, 2024. Nutcracker in Havana will have its world premiere on Nov. 1, 2024 at Norwich Theatre Royal, before embarking on a UK tour including a week at London's Southbank Centre in Dec. 2024, with further venues to be announced. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

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By Associated Press

March 4, 2024 at 4:01 PM UTC

Updated on

March 4, 2024 at 10:08 PM UTC

LONDON (AP) — Carlos Acosta, the Cuban-born ballet star, has danced “The Nutcracker” countless times in his glittering career. Now he’s giving the ballet a twist by putting the culture and music of his homeland at the heart of the holiday classic.

Acosta is choreographing and directing his new show, “Nutcracker in Havana,” which reimagines the traditional story by setting it in Cuba and fusing classical ballet with the street dances of Havana. It will be set to a new version of Tchaikovsky’s familiar score, mixed with vibrant Latin jazz, bossa nova and Cuban folk.