By Jennifer Mustoe
As a mother and grandmother, I often get to wear more than one hat when reviewing a show because I may have a loved one in the production. Such was the case on Monday when I went to see Moscow Ballet‘s Great Russian Nutcracker at the Avalon Theater in Grand Junction, CO. My granddaughter, Keira, was able to dance in this show. Earlier this month, I was able to interview one of the teacher/dancers, Yuriy Kuzo, from Moscow Ballet, and he told me how the company works. Moscow Ballet (MBC) is a traveling troupe, but with a twist. They have the principal dancers, the set, the costumes (Arthur Oliver), the choreographer, and the teachers. But they audition all other parts months before the event, and then teach the new dancers their steps.
My granddaughter, who dances with Grand Junction’s local Dance Works, was able to participate in this production, along with many other young girls and boys, to make The Great Russian Nutcracker one that looked and felt completely professional. I know from talking with Keira after, she was very impressed with those from MCB, for their fun, friendliness, and professionalism. The MCB is Russian at its core, not only because the members of the company are from that area and its surroundings, but they have taken the original Nutcracker (score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, libretto adapted from E. T. A. Hoffmann‘s story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King) and added variations in story and tone from Russian fairytales and folklore.
This year, Moscow Ballet’s production is the Dove of Peace Tour, and this production has a unique piece that delighted our entire audience. According to the website, “Choreographed by Bolshoi soloist Stanislav Vlasov, the production featured the “Land of Peace and Harmony,” traditionally called the Land of Sweets, and the “Dove of Peace.” The Dove of Peace and the Land of Peace and Harmony is exclusive to Moscow Ballet and seen in each performance of Great Russian Nutcracker. It was first performed by a single ballerina. In 2012, Moscow Ballet Principal Dancers Sergei Chumakov and Elena Petrichenko premiered the 2-person Dove of Peace with a 20-foot wing span!” This addition to The Nutcracker is truly stunning and I can only hope that each of those involved in each production across the United States, whether dancer, part of the local production staff, or audience member can feel the sweetness and loveliness of this addition. It is very touching.
Another change from The Nutcracker productions I’ve seen is in the Arabian Variation in Act II. Dancers Viktoriya Dymovska and Adel Kinzikeev are as proficient in gymnastic, contortionist moves as they are in ballet and several times I said under my breath, “Whoa,” and “Yikes,” because the moves are so beautiful and interesting and gymnastic in nature. Each of the variations: Chinese (so cute!), Arabian, French, Spanish, and Russian got huge applause–they were fun and rousing and the crowd loved them. In each of these, there is a huge costumed person, completely covered with a 20-foot dancing unicorn, or bear (our favorite–it kept peeking in and out to the delight of the audience), or other huge and appropriate characters in the Variation dances.
The story of Clara getting her toy nutcracker from her Uncle Drosselmeyer (Igor Bulychov) and all the magic that happens when Clara falls asleep is the same, but of course, each production is different and this one is fun for the whole family. The only thing I would say is this production is probably for ages 5 and older unless your child(ren) can sit still for a long time or are so engaged with the dancing they don’t get bored. The little girl next to me, probably age 4 or 5, was complaining toward the end, but her sister, who was probably a few years older, was completely enthralled.
The Great Russian Nutcracker at the Avalon is a sell out every year. I would have thought that many of the audience members were connected to the children and young adults in the production, but actually, the community comes to see it because it’s a beautiful show, fun and exciting, and is a Christmas classic.
For more information about the Moscow Ballet, please visit their website. What they are doing in the United States, showing peace and love and unity through dance, is moving, important, and beautiful.
The Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker Facebook Page
Event in Grand Junction
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