AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE’S THE NUTCRACKER

When I learned about this holiday presentation in my own backyard, Costa Mesa’s Segerstrom Center for the Arts had me at The Nutcracker. And at “ABT.” And actually at their own name because I had never been to that venue and was super curious about it!

So my friend and fellow ballet-lover, Nina2, and I took the easy trip down there this week-end to see all that beauty, and I suggest that everyone in SoCal do the same for one of these final seven performances of 2024, beginning tonight.

The Nutcracker is perfect to see at a matinee because there are sooo many kids in the audience. First of all, it’s fun to hear their mirth in the funny parts, and their oohs and ahhs in the especially pretty parts. And an audience full of children, (especially well-behaved ones,) is appreciated because their short heads are great to sit behind!

I’m sorry that I took so few notes to share with you, but it was hard to look away from this beautiful production for even a moment. Sadly, I can’t laud individual dancers by name because the cast changes at each performance, and the only place they’re listed is in the QR code on the program, which, no matter how hard I tried, I could not get it to show me the cast for the date I was in attendance. So that may be on me and my lack of tech skills. But perhaps next year, if ABT understandably doesn’t want to incur the expenses of including one cast list sheet in each program, they should just put up a board in the lobby featuring who’s who for that day or night. I’m always here to help performers, especially dancers, get their due!

ABT’s The Nutcracker opens with a surprise scene that takes place in the kitchen of the family that is hosting the Christmas Eve fete. I usually don’t love when a classical ballet deviates from the established norm, but I really enjoyed this frivolity. And it featured the absolute cutest little mouse I’ve ever seen! He was actually my favorite dancer of the whole presentation, making me smile every time he appeared, including during the curtain call—his face when he took the mouse head off, and his little bow, showed a true love of dance. He really sold the role, and didn’t look like just a kid running around. He was adorbs and professional. (I saw the Sunday December 15th show at 12:30, if anyone knows who he is.)

While I’m on the youth in the show, the young Nutcracker/Prince was beautiful, and the young lady who danced Clara was impressive for her age.

Speaking of ages, I was a tad confused as to what characters the adult main dancers were supposed to be. I’ve always seen Clara and the Prince performed by each company’s principal dancers who just look young, so when they were actual children in this one, I was somewhat surprised. The famous pas de deux near the end is supposed to be between the Sugar Plum Fairy and her beau, (originally written as the Cavalier,) and that’s how I’ve always seen it. But by researching the topic later, it appears that the two of them in this ballet are grown-up versions of the Nutcracker and Clara in the latter’s dream. (I usually dream about missing a party, or being seen without hair and make-up, so I’m a smidge jealous of her dream!)

But just as I learned to be not so strict about how an Afternoon Tea service is supposed to be served, I’ve decided to embrace the differences among how all ballet companies present The Nutcracker. As long as they’re beautiful, I just enjoy what I’m seeing. And I enjoyed ABT’s version immensely. I consider myself fortunate to have had this wonderful experience.

I actually had only two teensy issues with the entire production. First of all, one of the highlights of most Nutcrackers is that the giant Christmas tree in the first act party is supposed to grow much bigger right in front of our eyes. It’s usually spectacular. But in this one, it barely grew, and even then, did so as it was moving off the stage, and then the bottoms of three trees showed-up in its place! So that was a bit disappointing.

And then I couldn’t figure-out what was up with the Mouse King’s costume. He was wearing a cape that has a bunch of mouse heads on it. I was wondering if that meant he had killed his own men, and was showing it off, which was not ideal. But my later research on The Nutcracker, in general, told me something I never knew before. And that is that the Mouse King had seven heads in the original version of the ballet. ABT is not doing everything else exactly as written, so I feel that they should lose that confusing part of the wardrobe.

Speaking of those rodents, I was wondering if the excellent mice costumes would be a tad too scary for kids, but several parents assured me their children were fine with them. I have to semi-jokingly admit that they frightened me a bit, but that’s probably because of my personal mouse story, (which I’ll share at the end of this review.)

Every child in the audience went the most nuts over the trio of Russian dolls, (or whatever they’re supposed to be—I believe that all ballet companies suggest that the Russian group is either dolls, candy, or just entertainers from around the world.) They laughed right away and with every move those men made. And I joined them. That was one of the parts of the ballet that was just a perfect delight.

And, of course, I loved, loved, loved hearing the incredible Tchaikovsky score played magnificently live by the Pacific Symphony. The music was stunning; I’ve been hearing it my head ever since, (which is a happy change from what is usually in there!)

So if you’re in SoCal, I highly suggest you get to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts to see American Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker between now and this Sunday. As I mentioned before, this was my first time at that venue, and the entire experience was lovely. The parking is easy enough, and the seats are big and comfy.

And a big shout-out to the polite audience I saw the show with. Most people were dressed just right for either the ballet or the holidays or both, (there was nary a slob in sight!,) there was a bare minimum of loud snacking and drinking in the auditorium, and I did not hear any talking during the performance! I can’t wait to go back there for their next offering!

American Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker running through December 22, 2024
Segerstrom Center for the Arts 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa
714-556-2787 www.scfta.org

Okay, here’s my personal story that The Nutcracker reminded me of:

I used to stay in a cabin in Aspen with my parents in the summers. One night, after being out late with my friends, I came in and was about to go to sleep on the living room floor, as I always did, when I heard a weird noise. At first I was afraid that it was the cowboys or the club guys following me home and trying to get my attention. But then I inspected the kitchen to make sure that it wasn’t a frayed wire starting a fire, and when I moved the microwave, there was…a mouse! Terrified, (have you met me?,) I jumped up on the couch and tried to stifle my screams, but I woke my mother who came out and couldn’t believe I was making a fuss about a mouse. But when I couldn’t calm down, she called the police! Not on me, of course, (though perhaps that was her intent,) but for them to come get rid of the mouse!

The short version is that I was still standing on the couch when the first cop arrived, and he was trying hard not to laugh. He couldn’t find the rodent, but told me to call them again if I needed them, which is exactly what I did a half hour later when the mouse was back! A different cop came because the first one had told him about “the crazy chick in the cabin.” After that, I became friends with all the Aspen cops, because they were adorable, good guys. So I owe all those fun friendships to my mouse! (I still hope to never see one, outside of in The Nutcracker, ever again.)