The 2025 holiday season is upon us, and there are delightful entertainments for everyone. Duke It Out is a face-off between Duke Ellington and Pyotr Tchaikovsky of The Nutcracker Suite. Tchaikovsky composed The Nutcracker in 1892, based on a short story by Alexandre Dumas also titled The Nutcracker. I covered Sugar Hill: the Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker in 2023. I spoke with the Music Institute of Chicago’s director of operations, Kevin Harrison, about the 2025 Duke It Out. He filled me in on the one-day-only festivities. I started the interview asking, “So, how long have you been with the Music Institute of Chicago, and how did Duke It Out, well, come about?”
I have been here since 2010. I was a part of the brass ensemble in residence.
What instrument do you play?
I play the tuba. Brass sounds great in the hall. The first production was in 2009, curated by choreographer Altin Naska. We have dancers from Dance Chicago this year; the mix includes ballet, tap, jazz, and cabaret. We also have musicians in residence, strings for the ballet, and the brass with a drummer for the Ellington versions.
This production is listed as being one hour. It’s not the complete Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky or Ellington and Strayhorn. How is it set up?
Actually, it runs for 55 minutes. It is set up alternating between the composers. Both overtures are played, and the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy becomes Sugar Rum Cherry. Slavic Dance is Volga Voughty. Arabian Dance becomes Arabesque Cookie. Not all the music is live; some is recordings. The production started in 2009, then again in 2012 and 2013, with a break until 2016, then resumed through 2019. The pandemic paused production, and it resumed in 2022.
Are there other activities planned on performance day?
Yes, we will have a photo booth where guests can take a picture with the dancers in costume. It is family-friendly so that the kids can have fun. It’s for one day only, with two performances, Saturday, December 6, at 10am and 1pm. The Music Institute has four locations, two in Chicago, one in Downers Grove, and one in Evanston. Duke It Out will be at the Evanston location.
I would love to get a picture with the Mouse King!
I am sure we can get that set up.
Thanks, I am looking forward to it.
Duke It Out will take place on Saturday, December 6, at the Music Institute of Chicago, 1490 W. Chicago Ave., Evanston. Performances are at 10am and 1pm. For tickets and more information, please visit www.musicinst.org.