Clara (Brenna Mazzara) and the Prince (Isaac Martinez). MazzaraPhoto by Joanne Marie Photography.
Seeing Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” presented by the Ballet Theatre of Maryland at Maryland Hall is like being enveloped in a home town crowd at a sporting event. The audience is eager and willing to be transported to the world of pink twirling confections and surreal rodent battles as they applaud every beautiful turn.
Maryland Hall is a small, former high school theater in Annapolis with no orchestra pit that allows the audience to be up-close and personal with the dancers. The sets are the soaring backdrops in pastels that match the colors of the beautiful costumes designed by Karen Kralik and Alyssa Johnson-Taylor.
…the children…usually steal the show…The hard-working performers earn the cheers of the audience, and this seasonal favorite is well worth an evening out.
The ballet is presented in vignettes, as the performers take a bow after most of the dances rather than wait for the ensemble curtain call which also takes place at the end of the production.
There are many stand-outs in this triple-cast production choreographed by Dianna Cuatto. Heir Drosselmeier, played by guest artist Roman Mykyta, is spirited and impish as he flies across the stage, controlling the action of the evening with his magic. The various sized rats are undisciplined and chaotic as they do their best to overtake the regimented soldiers. The Rat Queen, looking like a naval cadet, is excellent and funny as she mugs and signals when she is dragged offstage. Of course, the children that attend the opening party, and have various parts throughout the production and usually steal the show.
The Russian doll is an audience favorite with his broad smile and unmatched athleticism. The Snow Fairies, Flowers and Buds are impressive ensembles in their pastel, flouncing multi-tiered skirts, twirling and leaping across the stage.
Last, but not least are the excellent performances of Clara, played this time by Brenna Mazzara, and her Prince, played by Isaac Martinez. They are well matched and turn in stately and graceful performances. The hard-working performers earn the cheers of the audience, and this seasonal favorite is well worth an evening out.
Running time: Approximately two hours with one 15-minute intermission.
“The Nutcracker” ran December 10-18, 2022, presented by Ballet Theatre of Maryland at Maryland Hall, 801 Chase Street, Annapolis, MD 21401. For more information on upcoming performances for the rest of the season, go online or call the box office at 410-263-5544.
