Dance Review: “The Nutcracker”

Jen Maciulewicz
December 21, 2012

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Attending Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” has become a Richmond holiday tradition for many in my beloved city and I was excited to finally attend for the first time this year. And let me tell you, Richmond Ballet did not disappoint. Having lived in the River City for over 10 years I can’t believe this was my first Richmond “Nutcracker.”

As always, the dancing from the Richmond Ballet company was impeccable, but what I truly enjoyed about this production were the modern comedic elements that were included by Stoner Winslett and Charles Caldwell.

Richmond Ballet updated the Christmas classic by incorporating dance moves like the robot, some break dance elements (i.e. the coffee grinder) and adding a little black sheep to the Mirliton Dance, who was honestly the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. These little touches added a lightness to the production that I was thrilled to experience.

The grand set is extremely impressive and the scene changes were executed flawlessly. Using gorgeous fabric panels that could easily be moved and manipulated, there was literally zero downtime between scene changes as everything happens right in front of the audience’s eyes. And the costumes designed by David Heuvel were absolutely beautiful.

Accompanied by the Richmond Symphony, the Richmond Ballet really creates a winter wonderland for the audience that was captivating and magical for all to experience.

“The Nutcracker” is showing at the Carpenter Center until December 23rd.

www.richmondcenterstage.com for show information

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Jen Maciulewicz is theatre critic for GAYRVA.com and is a Richmond local. Jen attended VCU and holds a B.S. in Anthropology. She has starred as Reno Sweeney in Cole Porter’s “Anything Goes" and attended VCU’s School of Music. Follow Jen on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jenlaumac.