Fans of children, sparkles, tutus, and fairy tales, enthusiasts of ballet, Tchaikovsky, and holiday magic: come on down to the newly restored Boston Opera House for Boston Ballet's famous production of - surprise, surprise - "The Nutcracker"!
The timeless story chronicles the adventures of little Clara (Elizabeth Powell), her mysterious godfather Drosselmeier (Viktor Plotnikov) and her beloved Nutcracker (Yury Yanowsky). Set to the ubiquitous Tchaikovsky score and loosely based on a story by German author E. T. A. Hoffmann, it is now one of the most famous ballets of all time.
This one show accounts for more than half of Boston Ballet's budget. It requires huge sets, intricate costumes, myriad details, and an ensemble cast of professional dancers as well as young children from the Boston Ballet School.
And it had been going on for the past 37 years, until recent budget problems threatened the whole ordeal. They've even blasphemously displaced "The Nutcracker" from the Wang in favor of the dancing Rockettes, but Boston Ballet and benefactors are determined to keep the show alive in Beantown. This is one holiday tradition that both the little kiddies and the rest of us can truly enjoy.
The colors of the show are just beautiful, and the costume, lighting and set technicians deserve a bow (or seven) of their own. Indeed, from however many pounds of artificial snow that fell, to the flying balloon and the colors of the Palace of the Sweets, the set treats the audience to seamless wonder and complements the dancers exquisitely. The costumes are beautiful, too; they are both period pieces in the party scene, and later turn classically "wow" as the show progresses into its magical climax.
This production opens unusually, showing us how Drosselmeier actually crafts the Nutcracker, rather than jumping straight into the famous party scene. Then, there is a glimpse of street life in 1830s Germany. Afterwards, of course, the show takes us into the home of the Silberhaus family for their Christmas party, where adorable daughter Clara (Elizabeth Powell) receives her precious gift.
This is a ballet told with humor, as well as with affection. As always, the mice that attack the Nutcracker are among the best parts of the show: they battle the Nutcracker's forces with kitchen utensils and throw cheese at their enemy, for goodness' sake, until Clara throws her shoe at their leader. The first act has lots of other amusing visual gimmicks, ranging from the man in the clock to a huge dancing bear.
The second act is a showcase in affectionate choreography and the pure classic beauty of ballet. Clara and the Nutcracker, who has turned into a prince, travel to his magical kingdom where various dancers perform to honor Clara's courage. All the dancers are fantastic; the Russian dancers (Raul Salamanca, Luke Luzicka, and James Whiteside) in particular command attention for the sheer athleticism and energy of their number. Of course, the grand pas de deux of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier (in this production, the Nutcracker) is a beautiful wrap-up to the adventure.
The beauty and challenge of "The Nutcracker" lies in its ensemble nature. There are so many parts in the ballet, and so many opportunities to shine; the cast works very well with one another and the score. True to its excellent reputation, Boston Ballet's dancing never falters, and the artistic values that come into play can sway even the biggest Scrooge.
It's also a treat for the kids in it. The students of Boston Ballet School are a central part of the show, and they are extraordinary.
But despite fantastically magical sets, costumes, and talent, budget cuts are still evident. It's a much smaller show, both to fit the Opera House stage and the budget allotted. "Cozier" might be a more suitable description. Bigger is not always better, but if you're accustomed to a yearly treat of mice and sugar plums, you might notice that something is missing here. The role of Cavalier has been combined with that of the Nutcracker, whereas in shows past the two men were separate.
The Nutcracker himself now dances the grand pas de deux with the Sugar Plum Fairy, while Drosselmeier (Viktor Plotnikov) inexplicably accompanies Clara for most of the time in the Palace of the Sweets. The Nutcracker, of course, is extraordinary; his character is boosted by the move although one would have liked to have seen more interaction between him and Clara. Yet despite the noticeably smaller scale, this show remains a warm, classic treat.
Thirteen-year-old Elizabeth Powell is a beaming bundle of cuteness throughout the show. She's quick on her feet and all-around adorable, but is also a solid dancer and actress. She interacts charmingly with the rest of the ensemble (and gets to 'fly' over the stage in a hot air balloon). How does it feel to play every budding ballerina's most coveted role? "So much fun," Powell said, "It's so exciting!"
For hundreds of dancers and viewers too, "The Nutcracker" brings a warm, thrilling dose of magic into the holiday season.
