Miami City Ballet dancers in Miami City Ballet's production of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker®. Choreography by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust. Photo © Alexander Iziliaev.
Miami City Ballet opens George Balanchine’s "The Nutcracker" this weekend at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami. The company has presented the beloved classic each year since the troupe premiered its version on Nov. 23, 1990, at Hayes Hall, in Naples, Fla. Miami City Ballet’s Nutcracker is based on George Balanchine’s rendition of E.T.A. Hoffmann’s 1816 story: which was first performed in 1954 by the New York City Ballet. Balanchine altered his choreography throughout the years, but the story remaineds the same.
"The Nutcracker" is a holiday favorite in many places and there are numerous versions of it; from Company XIV’s burlesque "Nutcracker" to the "Hard Nut "by the Mark Morris Dance Group.
The one element which seems to change with each classical Nutcracker is how it ends. Some have Marie/Clara waking up and realizing it was all a dream and she is safely back at home; while others have her and the Nutcracker Prince continuing their journey on to the next experience.
Miami City Ballet School students in Miami City Ballet's production of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker®. Choreography by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust. Photo © Alexander Iziliaev.
"The Nutcracker" is in two acts: the first in the real world and the second act in the land of confections where a variety of sweets entertain Marie and the Nutcracker Prince.
It is here that Balanchine takes liberty with Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky score, even adding a section of music from "The Sleeping Beauty."
Miami City Ballet has made its own changes by bringing in ( several seasons ago ) th husband and wife design team Isabel and Ruben Toledo to create sets and costumes. The result is as if a festival of colors are dancing on stage.
The ballet begins with Wendall Harrington’s projections, which paint a picture of what is to come. Isabel and Ruben Toledo were both born in Cuba, and since we are in Florida it is natural for them to design sets and costumes which take us into a tropical scene ( where else but Miami would you see a pineapple throne?) The look is fresh and perfect for Miami. Isabel Toledo first caught the nation’s eye when she designed Michelle Obama’s ensemble for President Obama’s first inauguration in January 2009. Sadly, Isabel Toledo passed away in August.
What is it like to perform in the Nutcracker? For some children it is their first step onto a stage. For many others, it is their first viewing of a live performance. This season , some dancers will be performing in The Nutcracker for the first time, for others it is their 10th, 12th, 20th, 50th....
For Principal Soloist Emily Bromberg it is well over a 100 times. Bromberg is from Boston and this is her 10th season with Miami City Ballet. She has performed the roles of Coffee and the Sugarplum Fairy in "The Nutcracker."
I spoke by phone with Bromberg about "The Nutcracker" and Isabel Toledo.
Principal Soloist Emily Bromberg is in her 10th season with Miami City Ballet.
Bromberg first saw "The Nutcracker" as a child and it had an influence on her decision to become a ballerina.
I asked her how she maintains each performance fresh after having performed it so many times. She replied that she keeps in mind that it could be a child’s first time seeing the ballet. She spoke kindly about Toledo. “ She had a great warm spirit.”
Did she have a favorite costume designed by Toledo? She has two: One is the costume worn by the doll in Act 1, Scene 1 and the other are the costumes worn by the Tea Dancers in Act 2.
“The costumes are as bright and colorful as Miami is. She had a lot of energy; she put every thing in her designs.”
What does she consider to be the magic of The Nutcracker Ballet? “The children performing - they give off a different energy and brings out a different side of us.”
Miami City Ballet George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
December 13-22, Various Times
Adrienne Arsht Center,1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami
Tickets: 305-929-7010December 27-29, Various Times
The Raymond F. Kravis for the Performing Arts
701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach
Tickets: 561-832-7469
