Lauren Martinez and Isaac Martinez as Clara and the Prince in Ballet Theatre of Maryland’s “The Nutcracker.” Photo by Joanne Marie Photography.
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” is a wonderful holiday ballet for how its iconic music and gorgeous dance is intertwined into a large spectacle of a show. The Ballet Theatre of Maryland’s (BTM) annual production of this classic, now playing at Maryland Hall, delivers an endearing production which sends the audience home with a happy glow.
…an endearing production…a heartwarming night out in Annapolis.
This tale is based on the 1816 novel “The Nutcracker and The Mouse King” by E.T.A. Hoffmann. The 1892 ballet tells the story of young Clara at Christmas and the gift of a nutcracker soldier from her godfather during the family’s holiday celebration. The toy comes to life, battles the evil Rat Queen (instead of the traditional Mouse King, in this version) and becomes a prince, taking her on magical journey to his kingdom in the “Land of Sweets.” It is, as her godfather later reminds her, a promise of the wonderment of her future as Clara journeys into adulthood. As the show comes to a close, the prince becomes a doll yet again. Was it all a dream?
There are many wonderful aspects of this production, which features three different casts for its six performances. As Clara, Karissa Kralik (in the performance this critic saw) smoothly handles the lead role. Her principal counterparts—her godfather Drosselmeier (Roman Mykyta, who returns from BTM’s 2022 production), and his nephew Christopher (Diego Sosa)—are equally tremendous with the choreography, performing with a beauty fit for this dance of imagination.
There are over 50 other cast members are part of this large-scale performance, from Victoria Siracusa’s Snow Queen and Isaac Martinez’s Snow King, to the 12 members of the Snow Corps de Ballet and ten dancers known as Chinese Sticks. These ensembles—along with the Snow Fairies, Flowers and Buds, and other troupes—–are integral to this production and dance with joy.
Tying this all together are Artistic Director Nicole Kelsch and Choreographer Dianna Cuatto. They meld this cast, young and adult, and the dancing on stage is flawless. The chemistry between Sosa and Kralik, in particular, elevates the dance with a wonderful lightness of movement that belies its complexity. Credit Cuatto for the timing which is on point throughout. The movement is tied beautifully to the crescendoes and diminuendos of the music.
In addition, the costume design by Karen Kralik and Alyssa Johnson-Taylor is a shining part of the creative team’s work. Amidst a modest set, there is a wonderfully dizzying array of costumes, filled with light blues, purples, and pinks, along with costumes fit for the mice.
The challenge for this production is Maryland Hall. Sight lines, especially at the rear of the orchestra, led patrons to use their cell phones as binoculars to better see their favorite dancers on stage. It may be challenging for younger patrons further away from the stage to experience this production. It is also unfortunate that there is no orchestra pit to allow for live musicians to perform the legendary music.
That said, there is something about this holiday tradition that brings everyone together in the sheer scope of the performance. In the holiday spirit, see “The Nutcracker” for a heartwarming night out in Annapolis.
Running Time: Two hours, including one 15-minute intermission.
“The Nutcracker” runs through December 17, 2023 presented by the Ballet Theatre of Maryland at Maryland Hall, 801 Chase Street, Annapolis, MD 21401. For information and to purchase tickets, call the Box Office at 410-263-5544 or go online.
