03 Dec Palm Arts Dance: “The Nutcracker,” 12/14 & 12/15!
Telluride’s Palm Arts Dance (PAD) presents the Tchaikovsky holiday classic ”The Nutcracker,” aka the unkillable ballet. The happening takes place this year on Saturday and Sunday December 14, 6 p.m. and December 15, 2 p.m. at the Michael D. Palm Theatre. Advance tickets are $10 student, $20 adult; day of performance the price goes up to $15 student; $25 adult. Tickets are on sale here.
Join PAD for the timeless story of a little girl named Clara who falls asleep after a holiday party at her home and dreams herself into a fantastic world where toys become larger than life. Featuring over 100 local dancers.
The Scrooges of the world may complain of a whopper of a toothache from all the sugar, but for the rest of us sentimental saps, “The Nutcracker” remains as much a part of Christmas as evergreens and eggnog.
The ballet’s enduring appeal stems from the fact the coming-of-age story speaks to the child in us all. However, the history of the ballet is not all presents under the tree and sugar plum fairies. In fact, “The Nutcracker” first opened under a cloud in 1892 in Russia’s St. Petersburg Maryinsky Theatre.
Start with the fact the ballet’s original choreographer, Marius Petipa, had fallen ill, so the work had to be finished by his assistant. (For trivia buffs and crossword puzzle junkies, the dude’s name was Leon Ivanov.)
To make matters worse, when composer Peter Illyich Tchaikovsky wrote the music, he was still mourning the recent death of his sister. That is why the adagio in Act II is similar to a prayer from the Russian Orthodox funeral service.
The real downer, however, was the lukewarm response the ballet received from audiences and critics alike: used to getting their jollies by watching adult performers exchange long glance looks and back-bending kisses, they yawned when confronted by the chaste tale of a young teen’s erotic awakening. Couldn’t Clara have at least kissed a frog?
Sweet revenge came years later thanks to the brilliance of another Russian in tights. With George Balanchine’s 1954 adaptation, “The Nutcracker” became the world’s most popular ballet, a Christmas staple, Handel’s “Messiah” in toe shoes.
It was “The Nutcracker” that brought ballet from the exclusive domain of a rich aristocracy to high school auditoriums such as The Palm, where Palm Arts Dance presents the holiday classic.
The Nutcracker” never fails to razzle-dazzle even the most cynical in the audience with its glittering snowflakes, shimmering sugarplums, and thrilling battles between the Mouse King and the oh-so-handsome Prince.
What’s more, Clara (sometimes Maria) is a great role model:indifferent to conventional toys, she is drawn instead to the odd-looking Nutcracker. She is super sensitive and can’t sleep until the wounded Nutcracker is mended. And Clara is brave, willing to face down a mouse a head or more taller than she is, her only weapon a slipper.
The young girl’s reward is a visit to The Land of the Sweets.
And we say just desserts to that.
“Each time we set the Nutcracker it is different and fresh, depending on the dancers who are participating”, says The Palm’s Nicole Hattler.” Even though it is lovely to watch professionals, we adapt the roles and choreography so that our dancers can take ownership of the entire production, and not feel as if they are just in supporting roles.”
Dancers in photo:
Back: Portia Yingling (Snow), Vivian Trommer (Soldier Doll), Ruby Cieciuch (Snow), Lucia Young (Snow), Madeline McNamara (Soldier Doll), Jayne Takacs (Snow)
Middle: Caitlyn McKillop (Spanish), Fiorella Coniglio (Snow Queen), Sabrina Goldberg (Dew Drop Fairy), Mia Hattler (Ballerina Doll)
Front: Jula Cieciuch (Sugarplum Fairy), Marie Markley (Clara) Lily McDonald (Nutcracker), courtesy PAD.
Hattler feels this sense of comradery extends to the audience too, as everyone enjoys encouraging through applause the local students in their various dances: “Most of our dancers have grown up with this show, performing as Angels at age three. It is exciting to see them develop into the more advanced roles”.
PAD’s “Nutcracker” is always a team effort, with Hattler, Katie Shewbridge, Kelsey Trottier, Jessica Galbo, and Shannon Westveer contributing the choreography and over 30 volunteers who help provide costume support, prop-making and backstage help.
“The ballet is a huge undertaking,” Hattler adds, “but one that is so rewarding. We love to see how the magic comes together onstage and to know how much holiday cheer these talented young people brings to the extended Telluride community.”
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