There are certain holiday classics that remain cherished by everyone. Others are replaced by newer and better traditions. Tara Simoncic, Megan Kalmer, and Shannon Purpura’s dazzling production of the annual “Nutcracker” ballet is beloved by the Rochester community and defies the notion that new is always better than old.
This year marks the 25th annual collaboration between the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) and the Rochester City Ballet to produce their classic rendition of “The Nutcracker” at Eastman Theater. The ballet’s six-show run occurred from Nov. 27 to Dec. 1. Conductor Simoncic and ballet artistic directors Kalmer and Purpura led RPO and Rochester City Ballet to deliver a seamless blend of music and dance. The show featured dancers from Rochester City Ballet’s Company as well as dancers from local studios, creating a connection between the Rochester community and the show.
Opening night, Kodak Hall was filled with audience members of all ages, many of whom had seen another Nutcracker production in previous years. At just under two hours long with a 15-minute long intermission, it is a performance that can be enjoyed by children and anyone with a short attention span.
The narrative of this performance of “The Nutcracker” stays consistent to the original plot. Separated into two acts, audience members are taken on a journey through familiar scenes, such as the Battle between mice and toy soldiers, the Land of Snowflakes, and the Kingdom of Sweets. While the plot remains unchanged, new costumes, set designs, and choreography add a kick of fresh creativity and surprises for returning patrons.
The interpretation for the set is rather modest, containing few props on stage at one time, simple painted backgrounds, and limited special effects beyond colored lighting. Even with the minimal use of effects, the simplicity allows for the dancers’ movements and their costumes to be the focus of the performance.
The show begins slowly with the traditional opening of the party scene, depicting Uncle Drosselmyer gifting Clara the nutcracker. The show reaches the climax around the Mouse King and Nutcracker Prince battle scene. While the scenes after that provide more complex choreography and intricate costumes, the plot becomes harder to follow for those who are not as familiar with the storyline. The second act also has considerably less scene changes, so it becomes harder to distinguish the end of one dance to the beginning of another. Regardless of the occasional confusion, the costume changes and rotation of dancers allowed for the show to keep the audience engaged.
The highlight of “The Nutcracker” was the dancers. Their ability to convey emotions and tones using only their movements captivated the audience’s attention. Their gracefulness and control was impressive, especially since many of them were children. Additionally, the execution of the choreography was timed flawlessly with the live orchestra’s music, pushing forward the plot as one unified body.
The RPO and Rochester City Ballet’s version of “The Nutcracker” takes the traditional concept of the ballet and adds creative touches to refresh the long-standing holiday classic. Although “The Nutcracker” has concluded for this season, avid “Nutcracker” fans and newcomers alike will undoubtedly enjoy attending next year’s performance if it continues to combine dance, art, music, and local talent into a fascinating production.
