The Richmond Ballet brings “The Nutcracker” to Hampton Roads

Founding Artistic Director of the Richmond Ballet Professional Company and Director Stoner Winslett truly brought “The Nutcracker Story” to life on the Chrysler Hall stage recently. This marvelous play/ballet has filled peoples’ hearts with joy for over a millennium. It is based on the story written by E.T.A Hoffman entitled, “The Nutcracker and the King of Mice.” Upon walking into the enormous theatre, the audience anticipated greatness. They were not disappointed.

The well-known setting of the Nutcracker is in the Stahlbaum family’s grand and glorious household. As they host their annual Christmas Party, dozens of dances surround the holiday tree. The women were attired in colorful, bustle dresses with corsets consisting of red, green, and blue, while the men wore knee high pants over stockings.

Clara (Aerys Merrill) and Fitz (Jonah Hodari) show sibling rivalry at its finest. God-Father Drosselmeyer (Todd Rosenlieb) arrives and presents Clara and Fitz with holiday gifts. Clara receives a beautiful nutcracker doll, but Fitz breaks it out of jealousy. Then, Drosselmeyer fixes it with a handkerchief. That night, Clara sneaks downstairs to make sure it’s okay. She falls asleep on a couch by the Christmas tree with the Nutcracker doll in her arms.

As Clara’s imagination runs free, the audience is taken on magical journeys full of armies of mice, a charming young nutcracker (Chandler Dalton), and lands of snow and sweets. Not only was this ballet aesthetically pleasing, but it portrayed the story with beautiful backdrops, remarkable costumes, and flawless choreography.

The Nutcracker eventually turns into a charming, young prince and escorts Clara to the enchanted snow forest. The backdrop of the Iceland is mesmerizing with white branches, complete with falling snowflakes. The blue lights shining upon the stage give a true feel of the winter season. The choreography in this scene is flawless, drawing the audience’s attention to the graceful dancers and their fluid movements.

The Nutcracker and Clara leave and travel to the Land of Sweets, consisting of gigantic candy cane sticks of yellow, blue, pink, red and green. Clara and Fitz then meet the Sugar Plum Fairy (Maggie Smalls) and her Cavalier (Fernando Sabino) who both performed swift turns and difficult lifts magnificently.

Whether performed as a play or ballet, The Nutcracker tradition enables the audience to share in the jollity of the season, leaving the audience with fanciful imaginations and the idea that love can truly conquers hearts.