By Jennifer Mustoe
For one night only, Salt Lake City was alive with Hip Hop dancing coupled with Tchaikovsky‘s beautiful melodies from The Nutcracker with Live! at the Eccles‘ Hip Hop Nutcracker. This event was attended by everyone from age six or so to lots of grandmas and grandpas. I’ve never seen so many parents bundling so many children into seats, boosted by piles of pillows so the kiddos could see. Adapted by Mike Fitelson, based on The Nutcracker by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Hip Hop Nutcracker brings a new take on an old favorite.
Here’s how this went down:
- As I said, there were MANY children, and a better bunch of audience members I’ve never seen. These kids were transfixed by the dancing. It was a wonderful sight to see.
- Tweens, teens, adults, and seniors all got into the act, clapping, dancing, screaming. Everyone was having a blast.
- The dancing was spectacular–the whole cast doing moves that seemed to me almost a cross between ballet and hip hop, maybe because the music was familiar to me as a ballet. But the grace, the precision, the sheer strength combined with the cool vibe was out of this world.
Hip Hop Nutcracker takes the original ballet’s story and ramps it up exponentially, but it’s still very obvious who is who. (Though I would suggest if this is your first Nutcracker, you become familiar with the story and share it with your kiddos.) But the dancers showed the story so well and I loved the swagger and ‘tude that Hip Hop Nutcracker brings to the stage.
The production team kills it. Director/Choreographer Jennifer Weber has her dancers doing outrageous moves and it all looks fantastic. Lighting Designer Burke Wilmore needs a high five for the amazing lighting in this production. Video Designer Moe Shahrooz, Company Manager Rebecca Easton, Original Beats and Remixes by DJ Boo and Original Costume Design by Whitney Adams bring this show to life in a new, hip (pun intended) way.
The principal dancers are: Maria-Clara (Ann-Sylvia Clark), The Nutcracker (Morris “Bboy Morris” Isby, III), Mom (Nubian Nene), Dad (Micah “Just Jamz” Abbrey), Drosselmeyer (Lisa “LBOOGIE” Bauford), and Mouse King/Ensemble/Associate Director/Choreographer (Randi “Rascal” Freitas). Accompanied by Violinist Jarvis L. Benson and introduced by Special Guest MC Kurtis Blow, the show rocks the house.
Though the show only played one night at the Eccles, Hip Hop Nutcracker still has plenty of dates in many cities. Check their website for more information. If you can see this show, it’ll kick your Christmas season up a notch or ten. Don’t miss it!
Live! at the Eccles presented Hip Hop Nutcracker.
The Eccles Theater, 131 Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Live! at the Eccles Facebook Page
Eccles Theater Facebook Page
Hip Hop Nutcracker Facebook Page
Hip Hop Nutcracker Facebook Event
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