While families across the country began celebrating the holiday season this weekend, I marked the occasion with a tradition that has been a part of my family for years.
I saw the 12th anniversary production of the New Mexico Ballet Company's "Nutcracker" ballet. Artistic Director Patricia Dickinson-Wells and her dancers, along with the help of the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra and the patrons of Popejoy Hall, brought the timeless story of Clara and her Nutcracker prince to life.
Particularly impressive was the sheer size of the production. The cast of the show totaled plenty more than 100 people.
Dickinson-Wells said she does not believe another production of the "Nutcracker" of this magnitude exists here in Albuquerque.
She says she feels honored to be a part of it.
Having a show of this scale gave the audience the illusion of reality because the same people play many different parts. It also made the scenes, such as the party scene at the beginning of the ballet, much more exciting.
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The feeling of reality was enhanced by the authentic costumes designed by Anna Constantz, with the sets provided by Popejoy Hall, evoking the feeling that I was actually inside the large Victorian home with all the guests.
Dickinson-Wells says the large number of people wanting to be involved in the production had a profound effect on the variety of dancers who auditioned for the show. She says the performance included dancers from places such as Moriarty, Belen and Santa Fe. She also says parents and volunteers were committed to making the show a success.
From an artistic prospective, the diversity of the dancers made it easier for the choreographers to be creative and showcase their different strengths.
Some of the pieces were even choreographed by dancers in the show. For example, Deanna Encinias and Benigna Sanchez choreographed the dance by the angels as they bring Clara into the land of sweets. The angles' choreography was one of the most moving pieces of the entire performance.
All of the dancers had smiles on their faces, and you could tell they were truly enjoying themselves. Emily Goulding and Erin Swinney were the perfect choices for the demi-soloists.
They executed difficult steps with a precision and perfection that made me think of the warrior-like qualities we sometimes associate with certain types of angels.
Sanchez also appeared in the Spanish variation, which was choreographed by renowned flamenco dancer and choreographer, Puablo Rodarte. Rodarte's work also has appeared in the "Festival Flamenco," which is one of the most successful dance performances done at the University every year.
Rodarte's piece was innovative. It contrasted the classical ballet done in a fun, almost character motif by Megan Marie Berlint, Andrea Owens and Amber Ussery with the traditional Flamenco dancing of Sanchez and Joaquin Encinias, who also teaches at UNM and Albuquerque's Flamenco Conservatory.
Both Berlint and Ussery showed they are not just graceful dancers who are able to portray a character accurately, but also proved their great amount of technical ability.
Berlint displayed to the audience that strength can be beautiful when she delivered a dynamic performance as the Dew Drop in "The Waltz of the Flowers." The "Flowers" section was full of difficult footwork that required the supporting dancers to work hard to keep up with the big jumps and successive pirouettes done by Berlint.
Having a production of this caliber here in Albuquerque is a real privilege. It provides elements of history, drama, music and a great combination of local artists, such as Jennifer Boren, the Sugar Plum Fairy, who held the fairy tale together with outstanding pirouettes and precision movements.
Both Dickenson-Wells and Gates agree it is a great way to keep the retelling of fairytales alive. The performance sticks closely to the story and is easy to follow for those who may not be familiar with it.
Dickenson-Wells says people who would not normally come to a ballet or dance performance will come to the "Nutcracker" as part of their holiday season. After having seen this version of the "Nutcracker" ballet, I would say it is a tradition people of all ages should adopt.
