| ‘The Nutcracker’ shines brightly for the holiday season |
By: Julie Zallek
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Posted: Wednesday, December 3, 2008 10:38 am
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Maggie Kennedy and Charles Kotuki
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It’s the time of year for treasured holiday traditions, and St. Peter will soon host one of them. Mankato Ballet Company is coming to Bjorling Hall at Gustavus with its sixteenth production of “The Nutcracker.” This year offers an exciting change for the audience because the company has a new artistic director, Eryn Michlitsch. With choreographer Sophia Barrett’s assistance, Eryn has re-choreographed and re-charged the entire production. And changes in dance numbers mean new costumes, revamped sets, even some alterations in music arrangements. A much-talked-about growing tree is another new feature.
The numerous changes offer a production that is new and fresh. Even past students have returned to this year’s cast. They love the idea of change and its spark of excitement.
The ballet, set to Tchaikovsky’s music in 1892, is the story of a young girl traveling through a fantasy land of vivid characters. Delicate snowflakes,exquisite flowers, and enticing candy are only a few of the elements in the journey’s dancing treasure of beauty, color, and action.
This beloved classic is much more than a family tradition and a show for young children. It is a wonderful afternoon or evening out for anyone. People accustomed to MBC’s “The Nutcracker” may especially want to go; two new choreographers mean a production with surprises for everyone.
“The Nutcracker” has another treat for the audience.
The St. Peter High School Chamber Singers will collaborate with MBC and sing before each ballet production.
The family element of “The Nutcracker” spills over into the cast and crew. One of the Little Mice is joined on stage by her real-life mother as she plays the Rat Queen. A seamstress has three daughters in the production. Some cast members are in the ballet because they aspired to do what their olders sisters had done. Many friendships have formed during rehearsals, which began in August.
The students hold a great appreciation for Miss Eryn and Miss Sophia (as they call their teachers at MBC).The dancers are amazed at all the time and attention given them as they learn their steps. Rehearsals are hard work, but they are “fun and exciting.”
Travis Carpenter is one of the adults impressed by the high level of commitment the students have given their work. A member of Merely Players in Mankato, Travis will play Herr Drosselmeyer. An accomplished actor and director, he had never studied ballet before being asked to be in The Nutcracker. He considers it an honor and has gained great respect for ballet’s form of creativity and expression.
Travis’s praise for the talented dancers he’s met extends out to Eryn and her work. “I don’t know if people know what a tremendous and humongous undertaking this is.”
Eryn looks at her work in more specific terms. “The Nutcracker” has been her biggest undertaking, and “it is exciting but also a bit scary” -- scary because of all she’s responsible for. But no one has disappointed her. She is grateful for all the volunteers doing behind-the-scenes work. She speaks highly of her students and the adults. “They have all been great to work with, and the professionalism the younger dancers have shown for learning their parts has been remarkable!”
With so much mutual admiration and appreciation between the students and their instructors, how can “The Nutcracker” be anything but spectacular? And don’t forget about the growing tree -- it will add yet another piece of wonder to this gem called “The Nutcracker.”
Next week: Watch for an article about behind-the-scenes action in “The Nutcracker”.
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