Saint Louis Dance Theatre & Jazz St. Louis Present
GASLIGHT DREAMS
Set to the music of The Nutcracker Suite by Ellington and Strayhorn
Made possible by the
W H I T A K E R F O U N D A T I O N
With support from the PNC Foundation
DECEMBER 19-20, 2025
Back by popular demand, our St. Louis holiday tradition is set against the backdrop of the historic Gaslight Square entertainment district. The vibrant production is infused with jazz rhythms, transforming Tchaikovsky’s classic into a nightclub fantasy. Celebrating Billy Strayhorn’s genius, contemporary dance merges with live jazz to create a love story distinctively St. Louis. This production with Jazz St. Louis is choreographed by Kirven Douthit-Boyd, conducted by Victor Goines, and features a stunning set in collaboration with The Muny’s T3 Program and Peter & Margery Spack.
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At the the Skip Viragh Center for the Arts
425 S Lindbergh Blvd, Frontenac, MO 63131
FRI, DEC 19
7:30pm Performance
SAT, DEC 20
2:00pm Performance
SAT, DEC 20
7:30pm Performance
2025.2026 SEASON Subscriptions
EXPERIENCE DANCE THEATRE & LIVE JAZZ
JAZZ ST. LOUIS
A National Leader in Jazz
Under the expert direction of Victor Goines, the 18-piece Jazz St. Louis Big Band delivers electrifying performances featuring custom arrangements, ranging from Count Basie grooves to holiday favorites like Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn’s “The Nutcracker Suite.”
SAINT LOUIS DANCE THEATRE
St. Louis's Repertory Contemporary Dance Company
Led by Artistic Director Kirven Douthit-Boyd, Saint Louis Dance Theatre brings world-class artistry to the stage, captivating audiences with boundary-pushing contemporary dance.
ENHANCE YOUR EXPERIENCE
Add on these experiences with your ticket purchase at checkout
ARTIST TALKBACK & CHAMPAGNE TOAST
DEC 19, 2025
After the Performance
HOLIDAY BRUNCH
DEC 20, 2025
Before the Performance
HOLIDAY SOIRÉE
DEC 20, 2025
After the Performance
WHAT THE PRESS IS SAYING
“Deserves to be seen by the whole world.”
- St. Louis American
“One of the most perfect evenings…I’ve ever spent in a theater!”
- Broadway World
In the news
The Stories Behind Gaslight Dreams
This production celebrates the intersection of St. Louis history, jazz royalty, and community collaboration. Explore the rich stories that inspired and built this unforgettable holiday experience.
THE MUSIC
Discover the relationship between Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, whose genius transformed a holiday classic.
THE DESIGN
Learn how designers captured the magic of an era to create "a grand space of enchantment and wonder."
THE PLACE
Step back in time to 1950s Gaslight Square, the "Greenwich Village of the Midwest" and the historic setting for our story.
THE COMMUNITY
See how our partnership with The Muny's T3 Program brings the set to life while training the next generation of artists.
2025.2026 SEASON
Love languages
Presented by Paul and Kathleen Matecki
Photography by Pratt + Kreidich in partnership with the 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis.
This innovative art destination and boutique hotel serves as the backdrop for our season imagery and offers special benefits to subscribers as our Love Languages season hospitality partner.