Cracking good show
NBT refreshes holiday tradition
by Lily Olason
The Northwest Ballet Theater is at it again with the sweet treat, The Nutcracker. An annual exhibition of local talent and wintery festivity, the show never withers. In fact, whippersnappers among us may recall watching this gig as even smaller whippersnappers, when the Theater was a whippersnapper, too. And it’s always been great.
A meticulously well-curated program notes the ballet was based on E.T.A Hoffman’s literary work, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, and handed to the stage through Marius Pepita’s choreography and Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s undyingly famous score in 1892. NBT’s choreographer Miye Bishop brings the vintage work to life vibrantly, fluidly, symmetrically in her third run at the helm of a one hundred-plus cast.
Mr. and Mrs. Stahlbaum (Warren Cornwall, Abby Hull) host a beautifully extravagant Christmas get-together with young children Clara (Paige Decker/Sophie Rose Kendrick), Fritz (Lev Cornwall), and company in tow. Decker dazzles as occasionally peeved older sister and her choreography is light, fluent. Cornwall steals the show as too-cute younger brother with an affinity for faux swords and troublemaking.
When the guests bid adieu, young Clara dozes off next to a newly acquired nutcracker courtesy of godfather Drosselmeyer (Ryann Lewis). Enter the vividly fantastic world of her over-sugared psyche.
Principals Josh D. Deininger and 16-year-old Anna Ford wow as the Prince and Clara, executing flying, metered symmetry with grace and ease. Their calculated twists and turns and lifts and jumps are done with space and rhythm and probably a lot of grueling work I’m leaving out. Deininger brings athleticism to the role and reinforces the fact that ballet is no picnic.
Nearly every scene is brimming over with talented people, usually by the dozens, so here I must give you the abridged version. Sophia Kongshaug dances a formidable Mouse Queen flanked by scores upon scores of mice. Her pink cohorts-in-training should win some sort of award for their cuteness.
Chloe Johnston awes as Dew Drop, dancing several solo scenes with prowess and confidence, flowing seamlessly between them. The Peppermint Candy crew, led by a well-cast Ashley Henderson, sprinkles the second act perfectly, and the Lilacs and Lilies choreography is polished and clean. The Bon-Bons, with a particularly special guest, are cleverly hilarious. Madame Ginger (Angus McLane) and the Neapolitan six (led by Emily DesChane) grace us with their presence.
An international sequence dots the second act, with Spanish Coffee (Tempeste Langille, Julian Young), Russian Marzipan (led by Miye Bishop), Chinese Tea (Hailey Forsberg, Aaron Michelle), and Arabian Coffee (Mija Bishop). Bishop absolutely enchants here and the applause shows it.
The snowy, flowing costuming and lighting and set design are all excellent.
Northwest Ballet Theater’s take on The Nutcracker is a lovely experience for all ages. Thank Artistic Director John Bishop and a fabulous cast and crew for this little dollop of holiday cheer.
Four performances remain: at the Mount Baker Theatre on December 14th at 7:30 p.m. and 15th at 2:00 p.m.; and at McIntyre Hall on December 21st at 7:30 p.m. and December 22nd at 2:00 p.m. Tickets for the MBT production range from $24-32; call (360) 734-6080. Tickets for McIntyre range from $24-35 with various discounts available; call (360) 416-7727 ext. 2. For more information about NBT, see their website.
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