'Tis the season: 'Tis The Nutcracker

Those sugar plum fairies and various figments of a young girl’s imagination charm their way onto local stages. The beloved holiday confection never goes out of style.

'New York Dance Theatre's 'The Nutcracker'
 New York Dance Theatre’s 41st season of the holiday classic of “The Nutcracker” — on the John Cranford Adams Playhouse stage at Hofstra University — closely follows the tradition of legenday George Balanchine — from storyline through choreography, sets and costumes.

 Dance Theatre founder Frank Ohman — a former student and soloist under George Balanchine — set his staging after his mentor’s iconic Lincoln Center version. The production includes the original Sugar Plum Fairy Pas de Deux by permission of the George Balanchine Trust. In addition, Ohman created original dances and scenes that set his production apart from other local versions.

Through the years, Ohman created original dances and scenes to enhance Balanchine’s iconic vision. Now Dance Theatre (and Ohman School of Ballet alum) executive artistic director Nicole Loizides follows her mentor’s footsteps in keeping to the Balanchine standard.New York City Ballet soloist Erica Pereira and principal dancer Daniel Ulbricht are featured as the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. They join a cast of cast of 80 children, pre-professional and professional dancers to bring the classic story to life.

Children’s roles are danced by Frank Ohman School of Ballet students and those at the School of American Ballet (the home school of New York City Ballet). As an added treat this year, a semi-immersive pre-show experience invites the audience into the Silberhaus home before the curtain rises, with the sights, smells and sounds of the Christmas Eve party that is the setting for the ballet.

Loizides returns to the “Nutcracker” stage for the first time in more than a decade, playing the role of Frau Silberhaus.

This “Nutcracker” season kicks off the company’s 50th anniversary on Long Island.

“This year’s theme is about bringing it home,” Loizides says. “We are bringing to light the direction of the school and company as founder Frank Ohman intended. I am rooted in the vision of bringing a new awareness to dance on Long Island — from classical to folkloric to contemporary. Our roots are alive. Our repertoire is expanding. And our outreach is wide. We are bringing new works to life by world renowned choreographers, restaging many of Frank Ohman’s classics, and staging works by dance icons including George Balanchine, Antony Tudor, Agnes De Mille and Jerrome Robbins.”

With the elegant Christmas party scene, the drama of the magical growing Christmas tree, the Battle of the Toy Soldiers and Giant Mice, the live snowstorm, and the brilliant dancing in the Land of the Sweets, this is surely a sparkling production that maintains its enduring appeal.

Eglevsky Ballet's 'The Nutcracker'
Long Island’s professional dance company, the Eglevsky Ballet, treats families to its inventive staging of Clara at Tilles Center, featuring additional choreography by executive artistic director Maurice Brandon Curry. Curry’s interpretation stars starring Boston Ballet principals Ji Young Chae and Jeffrey Cirio Miller as the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier, Also of note, dance celebrity Buddy Casimano joins the cast of more than 60 students and professionals as Dr. Stahlbaum, Clara’s father.

The role of Clara is danced by 16-year-old Eglevsky Ballet student Claire Higgins. Claire has been a student at Eglevsky Ballet for the past 10 productions of the holiday classic.
Curry’s interpretation is notable for its take on the central first act pas de deux in the prelude to “Waltz of the Snowflakes.” Usually performed by a Snow Queen and a Snow King in most productions, in this version, it’s Clara and The Nutcracker Prince, who dance to the music (Curry’s personal favorite in the ballet).

“Having this pas de deux danced by these two characters intensifies the connection between the two characters,” Curry says. “We see the arc of their relationship, and gives the opportunity for Clara’s dream to have a more poignant and personal effect on our audiences.”

This staging is a vibrant representation of the trajectory in which Curry is leading the organization. Eglevesky has presented “The Nutcracker” as a holiday gift for children of all ages since 1961 — which, according to Curry, makes it the longest, continuously running production on Long Island.

“Eglevsky Ballet has long been known for its approach to this treasured story,” he says.“I wanted to delve a little deeper into the characters, and also increase the participation of our incredibly talented academy students with our professional dancers. Also, I’ve enriched the production with more theatricality and dramatic elements. And with all of this, I have still managed to keep the dancing as the true star of the ballet.” As always, the Park Avenue Chamber Symphony, under the baton of maestro David Bernard, performs Tchaikovsky’s glorious score.

Eglevsky Ballet is partnering with Birthday Wishes of Long Island this year, providing a birthday gift and a “Birthday-in-a-Box” for children experiencing homelessness. All who attend are asked to bring an unwrapped toy to donate to the organization.