Joffrey Ballet’s Nutcracker 2013: An Enchanted Evening

By: Jovie Calma

 

Celebrating its 26th year anniversary since its world premiere in 1987, world-renowned Joffrey Ballet’s stellar production of Nutcracker was a resounding success this year and proved once again as “America’s Number 1 Nutcracker”! This awe-inspiring and beloved holiday masterpiece has captivated Chicago for the last 25 years with brilliant costumes, largerthan- life scenery, entrancing storytelling, and Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s famous score. Joffrey Ballet returned to the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on December 6, 2013 for its annual performance of the Nutcracker. During the performance, the entire company is joined onstage by over 100 dancers from Chicago as well as vocalists from five children’s choir in the Chicagoland with Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra playing the iconic Tchaikovsky’s score. Conceived and directed by Robert Joffrey with additional choreography by Gerald Alpino, Joffrey Ballet’s production, as usual, didn’t disappoint. The Nutcracker is a ballet in Two Acts, a reimagining of the classic E.T.A. Hoffman story, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King (1816). It is one of the most famous ballets the world has ever seen. The famous ballet tells the story of a young German girl named Clara, who receives a nutcracker doll from her mysterious uncle, Dr. Drosselmeyer, as a present. When the nutcracker is broken, the latter not only magically repairs the doll but also brings it to life. Clara and her Uncle Drosselmeyer’s journey began where they had to go through a battle between soldiers and mice and landed to an enchanted forest by the Snow King and Queen, followed by the magical land of the Sugar Plum Fairy. The ballet curtain opened with a music setting in the fanciful holiday mood and kicked-off with a Christmas Eve party at the Stahlbaum housea large and grand house with the most beautiful tree imaginable. The Stahlbaums (Fabrice Calmels as Mayor Stahlbaum and Mahalia Ward as Mrs. Stahlbaum) are hosting their annual Christmas party welcoming the arrival of their family and friends. Their children, Clara (Elizabeth Hansen) and Fritz (Derrick Agnoletti) played with toys and friends as their parents watched them. It was festive with music and dance when the Godfather Drosselmeyer (Matthew Adamczyk) arrived with his magical gifts. He is a skilled clock and toy maker and always full of surprises. He produced a large bag of Christmas gifts for all the children. He then drew everyone’s attention as he presented two life-sized dolls. They are the delight of the party, each taking a turn to dance. The children started opening their presents when Drosselmeyer hands out his gift to Clara and Fritz. The latter’s gift was awesome but Clara’s gift, a beautiful Nutcracker doll in the traditional shape of a soldier, became the hit of the party. Clara is overjoyed, but her brother Fritz was jealous and broke the doll. Clara was heartbroken. Drosselmeyer quickly repaired the Nutcracker with a handkerchief which he magically drew from the air. The guests departed and the Stahlbaum family retired for the evening. When the clock strikes at midnight, Clara heard the sound of mice in her bedroom. Strange things began. She wakes up and tries to run away, but the mice stop her. The beautiful Christmas tree suddenly grows high above her and the toys around the tree come to life while the room fills an army of mice, led by the fierce Mouse King (Aaron Smyth). The Nutcracker Doll (Graham Maverick) comes to life and rises to defend Clara. The Nutcracker leads his army of toy soldiers into battle with the mice. As conflict continues, Clara helps the Nutcracker by holding the Mouse King by the tail and throwing her shoe at him. The Nutcracker seizes the opportunity and defeats the Mouse King. The mice retreats, taking their wounded leader with them. The Nutcracker is then transformed into a Prince (Dylan Gutierrez). Clara and her magic Nutcracker Prince travel to the Land of Snow, and enchanted forest wonderland where they are welcomed by the dancing snowflakes (Amanda Assucena, Aya Baba, Asha Gangolli, Cara Marie Gary, Dara Holmes, Akari Morimatsu, Amber Neumann, Kristen Patrick, Alexis Polito, Jenny Winton, Joanna Wozniak, Saori Yamashita). This scene is led by the Snow Queen, King and Prince danced by Christine Rocas, the Filipina Ballerina who’s making waves at America’s premier Ballet Company, Fabrice Calmels and Derrick Agnoletti. The Nutcracker Prince escorts Clara to the Kingdom of Sweets in an enchanted sleigh, where they are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy (April Daily). In Clara’s honor, the Sugar Plum Fairy arranges for the inhabitants of her kingdom to entertain the Prince and Clara by rewarding them a celebration of dances while they eat. First off was the Chocolate from Spain, A Spanish Dance (Alexis Polito); Coffee from Arabia, an Arabian Dance (Kara Zimmerman and Miguel Blanco); and Tea from China, a Chinese Dance (Anastacia Holden and Derrick Agnoletti). Clara is also entertained by the dance of the Mirlitons, a dance with Madame Bonbonaire and her clowns, a Russian Dance, and the Waltz of the Flowers. Then, the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Nutcracker Prince dance a beautiful Grand Pas De Deux. As the celebration draws to a close, Clara drifts off to sleep. She awakens in bed, as the Nutcracker Prince salutes his Princess Clara. What unfolds in the Nutcracker is a heartwarming holiday story that weaves together through fascinating dialogue, astonishing puppetry, beautiful song and spellbinding spectacle to tell a darkly moving story of magic and mystery. It also varies in many interpretations. It’s a fun family tradition in the holiday season every year; the perfect introduction to ballet and the performing artscombining culture and fantasy; and an experience of classic and festive story. Joffrey Ballet’s stellar production of the Nutcracker, as always, was a charming ritual that is worth to see every year! Before I end my article this month, allow me to express my best wishes to all our readers and supporters, a great cheer for 2014! Life is a one-way street no matter how many detours you take. None of them leads back so enjoy life’s every moment, as none of them will happen the same way again. Have a Prosperous and Blissful New Year! My special birthday wishes to Jon Algas (Jan. 1), Juliet Concon (Jan. 4), Florina Vocal (Jan. 7), Joanne Tinimbang (Jan. 7), Kuya Nick Alzol (Jan. 10), Nicole Alvarez (Jan. 15), Vence Abuyen (Jan. 20), Tita Beth Calma (Jan. 22), Epy Quizon (Jan. 23), Don Kramer (Jan. 24), and to my siblings- DJ Hot Rod Calma (Jan. 15) and Jennifer Zamora (Jan. 31). I love you both and wish you more loads of good health, happiness and success. Huge thanks to all who have supported the “United For Hope Fundraiser” hosted by the Village of Mount Prospect to benefit the Typhoon Haiyan victims thru Gawad Kalinga last year. Congratulations to all the newly inducted officers and members of Chicago Philippine Press Club. To all Via Times Readers and CPRTV viewers, major love to you all for your continued support. Please continue to share your blessed Sunday with us at your favorite TV Show, The Chicago Philippine Reports TV (CPRTV), can now be viewed on Chicago Cable 25, every Sunday from 3:00- 4:00 PM on Comcast, RCN and Wow Cable Channels. Thank you for your continued support. Until the next issue of Wassup?! Jovie Calma LIVE!

Filipina Ballerina, Christine Rocas portrayed the role of Snow Queen at Joffrey Ballet’s production of Nutcracker,

 

 

Congratulations to Al Ricmand on his modeling debut at the United for Hope Fundraiser (shown with Mom Jovie)!

 

 

 

The newly-inducted charter secretary of the newly-revived Chicago Philippine Press Club (CPPC) with inducting officer Judge Israel Desierto, first Fil-Am Judge in Illinois.