The Nutcracker is a classic Christmas
story and it is one of the best known ballets of all time. Last night
I had the joy of watching the Colorado Youth Ballet's
performance at the Pikes Peak Center in downtown Colorado
Springs. Every year this is one of the most enjoyable productions of the ballet
that appeals to both experienced and inexperienced ballet watchers.
In addition to the dancers, they also sport an impressive cast that includes professional actors and magicians who wow the audience throughout the show. Tchaikovsky is played by an excellent actor David Sckolnik who guides the viewers
through the story. Drosselmeyer
is always portrayed as magical, but Director Patty Hoffman makes the
most of the character's magic to impress and confound the audience.
Have you ever seen someone engage a
crowd and think to yourself, "He should be on stage"? I had one of those
moments last night but it quickly became awkward when I realized that
I was already watching him on stage. This character was the brother,
Fritz, he connected with the crowd and drew everyone into the opening scene. Although traditionally his role is very limited, Hoffman
wisely allowed him more time in the limelight. I don't know what is
in Franklin Bennett's future, but he is very comfortable on stage.
Another character I want to point out
was the Arabian male dancer. When he first strutted onto stage I
wanted to look him straight in the eye and say “Just because you
have a cool Arabian costume does not make you are ALL THAT.” After a
few scenes of cute little children enjoying the antics of
performance, the mysterious Arabian music swelled to fill the room,
the problem was that the room was also being filled with the ego of
one of the dancers: the Arabian. All of my criticism died, however, when I
realized that he was indeed ALL THAT. He stole the show. He was a very
physical dancer with a flare for the dramatic. The entire hall was
astounded and showed appreciation with the strongest applause of the
night.
At one
point Tchaikosky was explaining the ballet, and I had a terrifying
realization that my hearing aid was cutting out. Then I remembered
with great joy that I don't have a hearing aid! I concluded that it
was the sound system or mic. Never was I so happy over someone's
technical difficulties.
The other sad problem was the fact that
one of the most signature dances of the Nutcracker was cut leaving
the audience with a Waltz of the Flowers shaped hole in their
experience. The Snow Queen dance almost made up for it with it's
flowing and beautiful choreography and breathtaking performance.
All told, I highly recommend adding the
Nutcracker to your Christmas traditions (esp if you have a younger
sister playing a Party Girl!)
What is your favorite Christmas show?
It's a Wonderful Life? The Nutcracker? Wonderland? The Fourth Wiseman?
Posted by Jeremiah Lorrig
Backstage Photo Credit: Ted Mehl ©2011 A Better Image Photography
Wish I could have seen it too! Thanks for posting so I could read ;)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you could make it to the show!!!
ReplyDelete