Review by Kate Neeley, Front Row Reviewers
Cache Valley Civic Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker Ballet welcomes the Holidays with all the glittering magic you’ll need to get in the spirit of the season. Under the artistic direction of the talented and legendary Sandra Emile and Jaime Lindley, you get a classic with enough energy to make it seem brand new, even in its 41st year. Warm and bright in Logan’s beautiful Ellen Eccles Theatre, you’ll be amazed at the beauty and precision of the principal and point dancers, the sweetness of the younger dancers, and the rich sound of the familiar music of this beloved ballet.
The Northern Utah Symphony swells the entire theater under the direction of Mark Emile playing Tchaicovsky’s masterpiece. Originally written by E.T.A. Hoffman, the story delights your senses as it begins with families gracefully entering into a warm Victorian Christmas party. Beautiful big hoop dresses and suits on each party guest (costumes by Beth Graham) truly add to the elegance of the scene.
It is within the first party scene that you are introduced to this year’s Clara (Kate Hopkin/Skye Grange) and the whimsical and magical Drosselmeyer (Max Allen). You’ll be entranced by the skilled movements of the mechanical doll (Zoey Shelton). The party girls, boys, and parents, hosts and other guests are all absolutely lovely to watch.
At party’s end, the arrival of the mice and the magic of the Nutcracker Prince (Cedar Powell) will entertain you and pull you into the battle between mice and toy soldiers, complete with a full army, a working cannon that blows snow-like confetti, and you’ll enjoy the sword fighting between the Mouse King (Spencer Ollerton) and the Nutcracker Prince, staged by Clifton Richards.
Can’t spoil who wins the battle, but as the victory is won, the sleigh leads Clara and the Nutcracker Prince into a magical snow kingdom and into one of the most stunning numbers with Mae Debarard as Snow Queen, flanked by the strong and graceful snow princesses Sophie Baldwin, Eleanore Buckley, Sarah Hamilton, and Abi Israelsen. The world class choreography under the direction of Karyn Hansen, Pamela Kirschman, Lindley, and Vivian Taylor, originally by Lev Ivanov, will sweep you away into the magic. The falling snow onstage as well as the angelic sound of Cache Children’s Choir completely envelopes the scene and transports you into the snow kingdom with all the snowflakes (composed of ten skilled ballerinas). The grandeur of this stunning winter lullaby of sorts closes the first act.
What the artists are wearing truly adds to the performance, but it certainly wouldn’t be the same without the makeup (Emily Geertsen) to match the glittering costumes. And as lovely as makeup can be, the ballerinas couldn’t glitter without the proper lighting (Braden Howard). All this and more are held together by a number of people working hard backstage, with a full stage crew comprised of the Cache Valley Civic Ballet Board of Directors with stage manager Anissa Potts Wellington, sound engineer Michael Palmer, lighting director Braden Howard, the many moving parts of the detailed surroundings for the dancers is seamless.
The Sugar Plum Fairy (Laura Geertsen/Anne Summers) is surely one of the standout highlights of the Ballet, and her part in CVCB’s production will inevitably take your breath away. She is pure royalty in the Land of Sweets, and her partner, the Cavalier (Gordon Felesina) is an incredibly gifted dancer. Both light up the stage with incredible grace.
Indeed, the entire ensemble in the Land of Sweets is a feast of color, joy, delightful movement, and celebration. From Flowers to Dewdrops to Marzipan… it’s all so lovely. When Mother Ginger (Kyle Spuhler) and her gigantic dress fill nearly half the stage, it’s a treat when she lifts her skirts and all the bouncy little gingersnap children emerge and give you all the giggles with their leaps and flips and rolls. Arabian Princess Mae Deberard and the Arabian Men Jacob Snow, Max Allen, Asher Powell, and Yuri Smith add an exotic vibe to the ever-changing stage.
Dewdrop Queen Sophie Baldwin, Spanish Lead Sarah Hamilton, Russian Leads Ivy Buckley, Maya Buckley, Jace Schaaf, Marzipan Leads Eleanore Buckley, and Israelsen all deserve a nod as they carry the ensemble and audience through a journey of enjoyment and color.
Like the first snow of the season, Cache Valley Civic Ballet’s yearly tradition of Tchaichovsky’s The Nutcracker Ballet ushers in the joy of Christmas. The labor of love in this ballet school is seen in every step of the dancers from tiny to tall. Indeed, the community is enriched yet again this year’s Thanksgiving weekend at the historic Ellen Eccles Theatre in downtown Logan.
Cache Valley Civic Ballet presents The Nutcracker Ballet.
Ellen Eccles Theatre, 43 S Main St Logan UT 84321
Tickets still available for Monday November 27
Cache Valley Civic Ballet Facebook Page
And plan for to start your holiday season next year on Thanksgiving Weekend 2024, November 29 – December 1, 2024
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