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The Joffrey Ballet’s The Nutcracker
www.joffrey.com
At
The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University
www.auditoriumtheatre.org
50 E. Congress Parkway
Chicago, Illinois 60605
(312) 922-2110
A Robert Joffrey Production
Founders, Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino
(Read about Robert Joffrey)
(Read about Gerald Arpino)
Artistic Director, Ashley C. Wheater
Executive Director, Christopher Clinton Conway
Ballet Masters, Charthel Arthur, Graca Sales, Willy Shives
Music Director & Principal Conductor, Leslie B. Dunner
Choir, Providence St. Mel
Public Relations Services, The Silverman Group/ Eric Eatherly
The Nutcracker:
A Ballet in Two Acts based on E.T.A. Hoffmann’s
The Nutcracker and the Mouse King (1816), Music by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Conceived and Directed by Robert Joffrey, Choreography for “Waltz of the Snowflakes” & “Waltz of the Flowers” by Gerald Arpino, Originally Staged by George Verdak and Scott Barnard, Scenery by Oliver Smith, Creative Design for The Mice, Mother Ginger and Clara’s House by Kermit Love, Lighting by Jack Mehler after original designs by Thomas Skelton, Children’s Ballet Masters: Charthel Arthur and Carla Graham-White
Performed by Artists of the Company: Heather Aagard,
Matthew Adamczyk, Derrick Agnoletti, Fabrice Calmels,
Raul Casasola, April Daly, Jonathan Dummar,
Erica Lynette Edwards, Brian Gephart, John Mark Giragosian,
John Gluckman, David Gombert, Jennifer Goodman,
Elizabeth Hansen, William Hillard, Anastacia Holden,
Victoria Jaiani, Stacy Joy Keller, Calvin Kitten, Suzanne Lopez,
Graham Maverick, Erin McAfee, Bran McSween, Caitlin Meighan, Thomas Nicholas,
Emily Patterson, Alexis Polito, Megan Quiroz, Valerie Robin, Christine Rocas,
Aaron Rogers, Tian Shuai, Abilgail Simon, Patrick Simoniello, Michael Smith,
Lauren Stewart, Temur Suluashvili, Kathleen Thielhelm,
Mauro Villanueva, Allison Walsh, Jennifer Warnick, Joanna Wozniak
Susan Weinrebe
December 20, 2008
‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring except the Mouse King and his army as well as brave Clara, defending her darling nutcracker doll against the marauding rodents. Thus, as ever, or at least since the Joffrey debuted this timeless Christmas ballet in 1987, Clara enters the magical and dreamy world, where kings, queens, princes and fairies preside over the lands of snow and sweets and flowers, and dolls dance for her.
The Nutcracker is a ballet to showcase the talents of the professional dancers of the company and to introduce young dancers to the stage. It is a production that is, above all, for children and, in a number of supporting roles, by children. What better time to celebrate the magical hopefulness of children, than Christmas? Clara’s nutcracker not only comes to life to defend her against the mice (though still with a doll’s head and the blocky and clickety movements of the cracking mechanism), but further transfigures into a real life prince, a young love and tour guide, through the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets.
Derrick Agnoletti danced the dual roles of Fritz, Clara’s brother and the Snow Prince. As the young boy, Agnoletti was the animated and naughty incarnation of a kiddo who has more energy than he knows what to do with. His miming play and interaction with actual children in the cast demonstrated his acting ability, standing at the head of previous Fritzs. Unlike past dancers cast in the role, however, this performer conveyed a more positive sense of overly enthusiastic play, not thinking of the consequences of his actions, rather than being mean to his sister when he broke her nutcracker.
As the Snow Prince, Agnoletti ruled the stage. With tremendous power, he coursed its circumference in a manège, gloriously displaying speed, controlled grace, and suspension at the arc of each turn. This virtuoso performance was like a firework, dazzling in its sharp brilliance. The other dance, that was arguably the evening’s standout, featured Megan Quiroz and Patrick Simoniello as “Coffee from Arabia.” If an aroma could take physical form this is what it would look like. The tantalizingly slow music wafts the dancers on stage just as a gradually-realized scent enters one’s consciousness. As he unwinds her from her sash, it is as though the warming smell of coffee were curling and luring one to savor its taste.
The part requires acrobatic elasticity from the female and feats of strength and support from the male, as he showcases hyperextensions and backbends that always delight the audience. Often, the male is considerably larger than his partner, so seeing Simoniello lift and carry Quiroz overhead for the breadth of the stage truly spoke to the quiet bravura of his partnering. Quiroz, who looks slight even among classical ballerinas, moves with a liquid grace that belies the 200 bones in her body. Just as Tchaikovsky’s glorious music evokes the sinuously winding smell of coffee, so too does it conjure faraway climes for the foreign dolls, who come to life and dance. Most of all, though, if ever music sounded like what it represents, the haunting melodies in The Land of Snow, aided by the choir from Providence St. Mel, create an almost palpable chill. Meanwhile, the wind, trees and flakes dance and snow falls and falls in a magical winter’s night.
The Nutcracker is the perfect “starter” ballet for children. Even though it was a frigid and blizzardy Chicago night, there were any number of little ones, braving the weather to be in the audience of one of the finest dance companies today. And, it might be added, seeing any number of couples dressed elegantly for the evening, The Nutcracker is a wonderful choice for a romantic and memorable date during the holiday season.
Mother Ginger and Polichinelles
in Joffrey Ballet's "The Nutcracker"
Courtesy of Herbert Migdoll
Snowflakes
in Joffrey Ballet's "The Nutcracker"
Courtesy of Herbert Migdoll
Toy Soldiers
in Joffrey Ballet's "The Nutcracker"
Courtesy of Herbert Migdoll
The Party Scene
in Joffrey Ballet's "The Nutcracker"
Courtesy of Herbert Migdoll
Sharon During Intermission
Courtesy of Susan Weinrebe
Intermission at Joffrey Ballet's "The Nutcracker"
Courtesy of Susan Weinrebe
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