Since 1954, sugar plums have danced in the heads of American youngsters enchanted by the magical tale of Clara and her nutcracker prince. The music and the dancers whirling across the stage in a lavish setting have made hearts beat a little faster at Christmas time for three generations. But no matter where it was performed in this country, the production was predictable. Everything happened on stage exactly as it had happened for years. Enter the brilliant Russian choreographer Alexei Ratmansky. When called upon last year to direct the American Ballet Theatre in “The Nutcracker,” he remembered how bored he had become with the story at the start of his career in Russia. Proclaiming that “the magic disappeared,” he set out to reclaim the lost magic. In the process, he made more sense of the second act, thereby creating a romantic version befitting today’s modern audience.
The debut in New York last December was received with rave reviews. Along with its updated story line, the ballet pops with the creativity of Richard Hudson, the award-winning designer of “The Lion King.” His larger-than-life scenery and eye-catching, imaginative costumes turn the entire stage into a beribboned gift. Now Ratmansky’s new “Nutcracker” makes its Washington debut at the Kennedy Center in seven unforgettable performances.
| Onstage |
| ‘The Nutcracker’ |
| Where: Kennedy Center Opera House |
| When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Friday, 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m and 6 p.m. Sunday |
| Tickets: from $45 at 202-467-4600, 800- 444-1324 or kennedy-center.org |
Meg Booth, the Kennedy Center Director of Dance Programming, saw the American Ballet Theatre’s production in New York last year. Blown away, she describes it in superlatives.
“This Nutcracker is spectacular,” she said. “The choreography is meaty and the set is beautiful and whimsical. The show begins in a kitchen, not the standard opening scene. From the very beginning, the audience is stunned by the dazzling costumes that are almost couture in design. Ratmansky made changes throughout the entire ballet, all of them adding to the beauty and the enjoyment. And of course the familiar music heard is played by the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra so you know you’re in the classic story.”
This first engagement outside of New York City features many dancers from local ballet academies who have been practicing since September. There are also young singers from the Norwood Middle School Choir and choristers from the National Cathedral School. To add to the intriguing traditional characters, Ratmansky has created bees who run through the second act.
“If you listen to the score, you can hear them,” Booth said. “This is just one of the additions he has made to give a fresh take on the story. The Nutcracker we have seen for many years is so ingrained in us that it’s a joyful surprise to discover his new approach to the characters. Among his fun new ideas is a wedding proposal, the Washington audiences will delight in the entire production.”
