The Nutcracker Suite
Reviewed by Julia Stier
American Contemporary Ballet
Through December 24
RECOMMENDED
The American Contemporary Ballet (ACB) has brought a winter wonderland to Los Angeles. ACB’s latest production, an immersive take on The Nutcracker Suite, is a fully sensorial experience that presents the highlights of some of the ballet’s most beloved songs and characters. With the smell of the popcorn, the sound of the live orchestra, the sparkles and spins of the dancers, the sprinkling of (fake) snow, and the taste of the many free sweets, the company ushers the audience into their world of sugar and magic. Lincoln Jones is the choreographer and creative force behind this delightfully unique production.
In Waltz of the Snowflakes, the ballerinas/snowflakes (Michelle DeAngelis, Theresa Farrell, Cierra Flood, Sarah Foley, Brynna Gallagher, Lily LaSalle, Angela Ridolfi, Kristen Toher, and Brittany Yevoli) set the scene for a cold winter’s day. A pale blue light (lighting designer Zach Titterington) creates the impression of a sun rising over a frozen lake. The orchestra coaxes the dancing snowflakes into a gentle frenzy and then a full-on snowstorm, before calming. The dancers’ pointed shoes, emitting soft, rhythmic taps, suggest a soft, steady snowfall.
Cara Hansvick makes her grand entrance in The Sugar Plum Fairy. She is mesmerizing in her solo dance, and brings a daintiness and regality to the character.
The audience is served an unexpected sweet treat before the next trio of dances. In Hot Chocolate, Elise Filo, Foley, LaSalle, Ridolfi, and Toher, clad in white latex dresses (costume designer Ruoxuan Li), joyously bound like floating marshmallows. Flood, joined by Donald N. Davison, returns in Coffee. The pair’s controlled, precise moves make for a far more sensual dance, while the fluidity of their movement is like watching chocolate melt. Farreli wraps up this collection of dances with a light and springy number, Tea.
The next two dances, Candy Canes (Rochelle Chang, Carmen Callahan, and Gallagher) and Marizpan (Foley, LaSalle, Toher, and Yevoli) are as sweet and spirited as their names suggest.
Mother Ginger, a duet between Ridolfi and Hannah Freeman, is an adorable mother-daughter dance lesson. In Waltz of the Flowers, Sarah Bukowski leads Flood, Foley, Gallagher, LaSalle, Toher, and Tivoli, each of whom drips with flowers.
Hansvick and Davison are stunning in Grand Pas de Deux. Davison spins Hansvick like a music box figurine, while at times Hasnvick fearlessly leaps into his arms. As the sun begins to set through the frosted glass windows lining the room, the two are drenched in golden light.
The dancers are accompanied by live music, provided by Chang Lu by flute, Sérgio Coelho on clarinet, Strauss Shi on first violin, Mann-Wen Lo on second violin, Kevin Hsu on viola, Bingxia Lu on cello and Alin Melik-Adamyan on piano.
ACB’s The Nutcracker Suite is a must-see, magical experience for all ages.
One California Plaza, 300 S. Grand Ave, 18th Floor; Thurs.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 2 p.m. & 5 p.m.; Mon., Dec. 24, 1 p.m.; through Dec. 24. https://www.acbdances.com/nutcracker. Running time: one hour with no intermission.
