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PERENN IAL HOLIDAY INSTITUTION THE NUTCR ACKER comes
TO THE CO UNT BASIE THEATRE

by Brendan Fitzgibbons

It’s easy to forget that The Nutcracker, though now unquestionably the piece of classical music most closely and famously associated with the holiday season, was a notable flop upon its release in 1892. Tchaikovsky wrote the work originally as a two-act ballet, and premiered it on the same night as his opera Lolanta at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia. Critics panned the battle scenes as confused, the libretto as “insipid,” and even offered unhelpful modifiers about star dancer Dell’Era’s figure (“corpulent” was used by one prominent journalist). The composer then set about distilling a short suite of music from the score, and after choreographer Alexander Gorsky reorganized key dance sequences in 1919, a star was born.

George Balanchine lent his wizardry to The New York City Ballet’s first performance of the ballet in 1954, and by the early years of the 1960s, the tradition of performing both the suite version as well as the complete ballet at Christmas has spread to the rest of the nation. The Nutcracker has entranced four generations of viewers with dreams of Sugar Plum Ferries, toy soldiers, mischievous giant mice, and fantastic journeys to the Land of Snow.

Fortunately for New Jerseyans, the historic Count Basie Theatre is offering several chances to see the show, with showtimes on Saturday Dec. 13 and Sunday Dec. 14 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Prior to the weekend curtains, the theatre will also run two additional performances specifically for schools and younger audiences.

The Count Basie performances will be presented by the Red Bank-based ballet Company of Dance Arts (CODA) and feature choreography by the legendary Peter Anastos.

The CODA was founded in 1985 and showcases young dancers in the 6-18 year-old range, many of which have performed with renowned dancers from the American Repertory Ballet, New York City Ballet and the Joffrey Ballet School.

BK WINDOW SPREAD

For 29 years, the Company of Dance Arts has made sharing the Christmas ballet a top priority by capturing the raw essence of the original Russian two-act performance in 1892.

The Nutcracker tells the mystical tale of Clara (sometimes cast as Marie), the daughter of a wealthy 19th century European family. On Christmas Eve, that clan hosts a lavish party, with Clara and brother Fritz eagerly anticipating the arrival of their generous godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer.

Upon his arrival, Drosselmeyer gives everyone at the party life sizedolls, Friz a toy train, and Clara a wondrous nutcracker. Brother and sister fight over her gift before an overly eager Fritz shatters the toy, crushing Clara’s spirit. After being summoned to bed, the valiant young girl sneaks out to try and reclaim her prize. While embracing the toy nutcracker, Clara falls into a deep sleep only to wake to a world of giant toy soldiers, malicious gigantic mice led by the evil Mouse King, and, yes, a life-sized nutcracker. The audience follows Clara on her adventures to the Land of the Sweets, and the time-honored plot takes several dark and mysterious turns before returning to Clara’s house on Christmas morning, where she poses the question, “Was it all a dream?”

Regardless of plot line pre-familiarity, patrons will be whisked away by production’s stunning set pieces, colorful Victorian-era costumes and impeccable celestial choreography.

The Nutcracker at the Count Basie Theatre
Saturday Dec 13, 14 at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
99 Monmouth St., Red Bank
732.842.9000 / countbasietheatre.org