Nutcracker, Klezmer style

MILFORD — The Shirim Orchestra will bring to the Milford Theatre its hilarious rendition of Peter Tchaikovsky's masterpiece Nutcracker Suite, along with songs by Irving Berlin and Robert Wells, and other festive music.
Shirim’s cross-cultural klezmer Nutcracker is fun, serious and rocking. The group distills the classic ballet suite down to its folksy essence and will change the way you think of Tchaikovsky.
Shirim will also play klezmerized carols and Yiddish folk music, with vocals by Anneke Reich.
Emphasizing the Eastern European elements of the score with witty intelligence and playful irreverence, Shirim redefines the modern melting pot of "world music." The group's virtuosity in both performance and musical conception harken back to the manic genius of Spike Jones' classical parodies and the artistry of Duke Ellington's adaptations of classical pieces.
The ensemble has collaborated with Maurice Sendak (Pincus and the Pig), appeared with the Philly Pops, and performed on the soundtrack of Woody Allen’s Deconstructing Harry. The musicians are Glenn Dickson, clarinet; Anneke Reich, vocals; Michael McLaughlin, accordion; Clayton DeWalt, trombone; Jim Gray, tuba; and Eric Rosenthal, drums.
This holiday concert is produced by Kindred Spirits Arts Programs, a nonprofit organization of volunteers that has been bringing entertainment to local audiences and programs to school students since 2002.