Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikiovsky had his Nutcracker ballet premiere at the Imperial Marinsky in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on December 18, 1892. Now the troupe at Nimbus Dance presents the 15th year of its annual Jersey Nutcracker in Jersey City Dec. 19-23 after runs in Newark and Union. Yes, you’ll meet the Sugar Plum Fairy, her dashing Cavalier, as well as the corrupt mayor (based on the notorious Frank Hague who once ruled Jersey City with an iron fist from 1917 to 1947). The traditional toy soldiers are now hip-hop dancers and the score is infused with more jazz than classical.
