Photo Flash: Sneak Peek at Jeffrey Cirio & Misa Kuranaga in Boston Ballet's THE NUTCRACKER

Boston Ballet Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen welcomes Jeffrey Cirio, former Boston Ballet Principal Dancer, back to the Boston Opera House Stage for select performances of THE NUTCRACKER. Cirio will join the cast of Company dancers for performances on December 24 at 3 pm, December 26 at 7:30 pm, December 27 at 5:30 pm, December 29 at 7:30 pm, and December 30 at 1 pm, as well as a special New Year's Eve appearance on December 31 at 7:30 pm. He will be dancing the roles of Snow King, Grand Pas, and Russian.* Scroll down for a sneak peek at the dancers onstage!

"Our patrons have watched Jeff grow and mature as an artist from his training as a Boston Ballet School student through his tenure as a Company Dancer last season. He is beloved by audiences and critics-alike in the roles of young Fritz in his early years to the leading Nutcracker Prince," explains Mikko Nissinen, Boston Ballet Artistic Director. "THE NUTCRACKER is a joyful family tradition for so many- an opportunity to come together to create cherished memories with the ones we love. We are thrilled to welcome Jeff back to celebrate the holidays with his Boston Ballet family, and to be a part of the wonderful joy the production brings to life."

Cirio's affiliation with Boston Ballet began in 2003 as a student of Boston Ballet School. After spending a year as a Trainee in 2006-2007, Cirio was invited to join Boston Ballet II (BBII)-Boston Ballet's second company-at the age of 16. Cirio then trained at Orlando Ballet School with Peter Stark, who recently joined Boston Ballet in August 2015 as Associate Director of BBII and Head of Men's Program of Boston Ballet School. Cirio returned to Boston Ballet as a member of the corps de ballet in 2009, and was promoted to Second Soloist in 2010, Soloist in 2011, and Principal Dancer in 2012. He was the youngest male Principal Dancer in Boston Ballet's history at the age of 20. Cirio is the recipient of numerous awards: he received a gold medal at the 2009 World Ballet Competition, won a coveted Princess Grace Fellowship, and was the first American to be awarded a gold medal at the Helsinki International Ballet Competition in 2009. Cirio was also nominated for the Best Male Classical Dance Performance at the 2013 National Dance Awards in the UK for his performance during Boston Ballet's London Tour in Resident Choreographer Jorma Elo's Plan to B.

During his tenure at Boston Ballet, Cirio excelled in an array of roles ranging from classical to contemporary. With Boston Ballet, he is best known for his roles in Rudolf Nureyev's Don Quixoteand George Balanchine's Theme and Variations, among many others, as well as his standout partnership with Principal Dancer Misa Kuranaga. Cirio originated the principal roles in Jorma Elo'sAwake Only and Elo Experience. In 2014, Cirio was commissioned by Boston Ballet to choreographof trial, and in 2015, he choreographed his first work for the Boston Opera House stage entitledfremd. He is also the brother of Lia Cirio, Boston Ballet Principal Dancer. Jeffrey Cirio joined American Ballet Theatre as a Soloist in August 2015.

Performances of THE NUTCRACKER will take place at the Boston Opera House (539 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111). Tickets start at $35. For more information, visit www.bostonballet.org or call 617-695-6955. *Dates and roles subject to change