‘The Nutcracker’ sparkles on nearby stages

Those sugar plum fairies and various figments of a young girl’s imagination are ready to delight us during this festive month. The holiday classic once agains lights up local stages with assorted versions to choose from, along with other holiday treats that are sure to warm our hearts and souls.
Here are some of the season’s top picks.

“The Nutcracker” by Leggz Ltd. Dance
“Nutcracker” season on Long Island opens with the Rockville Centre-based Leggz Ltd. Dance’s annual full-length staging of the beloved ballet, accompanied by the South Shore Symphony Orchestra, in what has become a highly anticipated long-standing tradition. The 70-piece orchestra performing the glorious Tchaikovsky score adds to the appeal of the production, which runs for the three performances this weekend.
Leggz version of the holiday classic, presented with the Rockville Centre Guild for the Arts, welcomes four dancers from the renowned Boston Ballet to this year’s production. Yury Yanowski, who is also an award-winning choreographer, dances the role of the Cavalier, with Lia Cirio as the Sugar Plum Fairy, and Whitney Jensen and Lawrence Riner, who lead the Marzipan sequence.
“This is a very special production for us,” says Joan MacNaughton, artistic director and founder of the Leggz Ltd. Dance studio. “The Boston Ballet is, of course, one of the most renowned ballet companies, and we are are thrilled to have these dancers with us. They bring a level of performance that you would generally have to go to New York City to see. You can experience it here without having to travel.”
MacNaughton’s production also features dancers from the American Ballet Theatre, Washington Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Charleston Ballet, Orlando Ballet, Suzanne Farrell, San Francisco Ballet, Houston Ballet, and national tours of Broadway shows. Daniel Baker, who dances with Twyla Tharp and the San Francisco Ballet, and was a finalist on the “So You Think You Can Dance” reality TV competition, also joins this year’s cast. And, as always, the professional dancers are supported by young dancers in this dynamic production that continues to charm audiences.
MacNaughton, assisted by her daughter, Sam Carrell, has been bringing her holiday “Nutcracker” to the community for over 20 years now.
In its 19th year with the Rockville Centre Guild for the Arts,, the Leggz production has evolved into an acclaimed performance of the holiday classic, one that is eagerly awaited by audiences each year.
It’s now firmly ensconced at the Madison Theatre, on the Molloy College campus, where it relocated last year.
“It’s a world-class stage in a professional theater. And the acoustics are fabulous. Dancing there brings us to a different level. It’s quite a blessing to be there,” says MacNaughton. “Every year we strive to add the level of professionalism of our production and being in this theater has enhanced our performance.”
Her production highlights the talents of local dance students, who appear in many of the roles. “We have so many talented young dancers from our communities,” says MacNaughton. They come from Rockville Centre, Oceanside, Hewlett, Valley Stream, Lynbrook, all over the South Shore. They can’t believe how lucky they are to dance with our principal cast of professionals. They are awestruck.”
Leggz’ “Nutcracker” includes all the elements of the classic ballet. “We do the entire ballet with the full score,” MacNaughton adds. “It’s traditional in concept, with choreography that I’ve interpreted that reflects my style. The story remains in its entirety.”
The enchanting re-telling of the tale of Clara, the young girl who receives a special holiday offering of a nutcracker figurine, comes to life set to the beloved Tchaikovsky score, performed by the popular local orchestra.
“The South Shore Symphony has been my orchestra for 20 years,” says MacNaughton. “They are phenomenal. They are such expert players and we love them. It makes such a difference when you have live accompaniment of such quality. They pick up the nuances of the dancers and it adds to the performance.”
Leggz Ltd.’s “Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker” is being performed on Friday, Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m.: Saturday, Dec. 12, 5 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 13, 4 p.m. Tickets are $35 and $25. Madison Theatre, at Molloy College, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. For tickets and information, call (516) 323-4444 or visit www.madisontheatreny.org.