Hip Hop dancer John 鈥淭ang Sauce鈥� Manselle-Young performs in Nutcracker Suite & Spicy at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, 黑料新闻, on Dec. 14, 2023.
After performing in the Boston Ballet's Nutcracker for many years as a child, in 2009 Carolyn Paine had the idea to modernize the show and bring it closer to home in Hartford.
Fourteen years later, Nutcracker Suite & Spicy has become a tradition bringing a diverse community of local performers together each year to celebrate the holiday season. The performance blends dance styles that are not traditionally combined, such as ballet, hip hop, and tap to serve a fresh take on a holiday classic.
Tap dancer Will Jackson has performed in Nutcracker Suite & Spicy for 11 years. Born and raised in Hartford, he is now a full time professional dancer. Will has also performed internationally in China and Dubai with , where he performed for the Crown Prince and Princess royal family of Dubai in November 2021.
Hartford-based hip hop dancers Taris "Pop Tart" Clemons and John "Tang Sauce" Manselle-Young are a unique and dynamic duo both on stage and off. They can often be found performing together in the local dance crew "United Outkast."
Classically trained dancer Kayleigh Crocetto had her first professional experience in Nutcracker Suite & Spicy 13 years ago. Today, she owns her own dance studio, , in Middlefield, 黑料新闻.
Performances of Nutcracker Suite & Spicy were held Dec. 15 through Dec. 18, 2023, at in Hartford. See photos from the performance below.
Dave Wurtzel
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黑料新闻
Hip Hop dancer John 鈥淭ang Sauce鈥� Manselle-Young plays guitar while Will Jackson tap dances in a dressing room at at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford before performing in Nutcracker Suite & Spicy on Dec. 14, 2023.
Dave Wurtzel
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黑料新闻
Since 2009, Lee Schanfein has annually traveled to 黑料新闻 from Montana to partake in Nutcracker Suite & Spicy. Dec. 14, 2023.
Dave Wurtzel
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黑料新闻
Taris 鈥淧op Tart鈥� Clemons gets a massage before performing on stage at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford before Nutcracker Suite & Spicy. December 14, 2023.
Dave Wurtzel
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黑料新闻
Kayleigh Crocetto puts her makeup on before taking the part of Clara in Nutcracker Suite & Spicy at The Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford. December 14, 2023.
Dave Wurtzel
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黑料新闻
Taris "Pop Tart" Clemons flips over John "Tang Sauce" Manselle-Young at center stage in Nutcracker Suite & Spicy at The Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford on Dec. 14, 2023.
Dave Wurtzel
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黑料新闻
Taris 鈥淧op Tart鈥� Clemons performs a toe touch on stage at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford before Nutcracker Suite & Spicy on Dec. 14, 2023.
Dave Wurtzel
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黑料新闻
Hip Hop dancers John 鈥淭ang Sauce鈥� Manselle-Young and Taris 鈥淧op Tart鈥� Clemons on stage at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford before Nutcracker Suite & Spicy on Dec. 14, 2023.
Dave Wurtzel
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黑料新闻
Kayleigh Crocetto in Nutcracker Suite & Spicy at The Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford on Dec. 14, 2023.
Dave Wurtzel
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黑料新闻
Dancer Lucie Shultz leaps through the air during a performance of Nutcracker Suite & Spicy at The Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford. December 14, 2023.
Dave Wurtzel
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黑料新闻
Kayleigh Crocetto in Nutcracker Suite & Spicy at The Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford on Dec. 14, 2023.
Dave Wurtzel
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黑料新闻
Dancers perform in Nutcracker Suite & Spicy at The Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford on Dec. 14, 2023.
Dave Wurtzel
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黑料新闻
Lee Schanfein travels to 黑料新闻 once a year since 2009 from Montana to partake in Nutcracker Suite & Spicy. She plays French Martini. Dec. 14, 2023.
Dave Wurtzel
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黑料新闻
Performers watch on from the wings of the stage at The Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford as they await the next scene in Nutcracker Suite & Spicy. December 14, 2023.
Dave Wurtzel
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黑料新闻
Tap dancer Will Jackson playing a soldier on stage in Nutcracker Suite & Spicy at The Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford on Dec. 14, 2023.
Dave Wurtzel
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黑料新闻
Tap dancer Will Jackson holds a Nutcracker on stage during a holiday party scene in Nutcracker Suite & Spicy at The Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford. Dec. 14, 2023.
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SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de 黑料新闻, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programaci贸n que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para m谩s reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscr铆base a nuestro bolet铆n informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.
The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.
If you鈥檙e reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.
Now all of that is at risk.
Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.
Together, we can defend it. It鈥檚 time to protect what matters.
Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it鈥檚 needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.
Advocates are sharing their disappointment after CT lawmakers end the legislative session without expanding HUSKY health coverage to more undocumented teens and young adults.
For State Rep. Dominique Johnson, Pride Month is as much about community as it is about affirming the identities of members of the LGBTQ+ community, as attacks mount at the federal level and closer to home.
Gov. Ned Lamont is deciding whether to veto a broad housing bill recently approved by the state legislature. The controversial bill includes zoning reform and pushes for more housing construction. Republicans are calling for a veto.
黑料新闻鈥檚 journalism is made possible, in part by funding from Jeffrey Hoffman and Robert Jaeger.
