Toledo Ballet’s 82nd performance of the “Nutcracker” will return this December. Presented by Shumaker, Loop and Kendrick, the Nutcracker will span four performances on Friday, December 9, at 11 a.m., Saturday, December 10, at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, December 11, at 2 p.m., at the Stranahan Theater. Cost is $26 to $99. For more information, visit toledoballet.com, stop by the TAPA box office at 1838 Parkwood Avenue, or call 419-246-8000, Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. After two years of pandemic- related hiatus, the Toledo Symphony Orchestra will perform Tchaikovsky’s score live and both Saturday performances will be livestreamed.
“My favorite feeling in the world is the very first time I walk into a theater and breathe in the air, take in the sounds of the symphony, and see the costumes, scenery, and sets,” said newly appointed artistic director and head of curriculum, Eric Otto. “This is when we start to see the production come alive, and I feel like I’m finally home.”
In addition to the TSO conducted by Alain Trudel, this year’s production will feature choreography by international principal dancer Eris Nezha. “I’m very excited to work with our choreographer, Eris Nezha,” said Mr. Otto. “He brings a wealth of knowledge, and this year’s “Nutcracker” will be new and exciting with some fun new additions.” Mr. Nezha, who resides in Los Angeles, has danced all over the world with companies such as L.A. Ballet, La Scala and Boston Ballet among many others.
He first began working on the performance in February. His version remains true to E.T.A Hoffman’s original story “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” and Tchaikovsky’s
score. Having spent weeks working with Toledo Ballet dancers, his choreography highlights the skills and talents of the students. Audiences can expect to see a few new characters in the party scene and a more mature Clara, the ballet’s main character.
Hayden Graham, of Perrysburg, reprises her role of Clara for the 2 p.m. performances on December 10 and 11. “Clara is more involved, and I love that aspect. She feels more grown up and it makes the role feel more mature. That’s exciting for me because it’s different and more difficult than last year,” said Ms. Graham about this year’s role.
Making her debut as Clara December 9, at 11 a.m. and December 10, at 7 p.m., is Sophia Black. Ms. Black said she is “most looking forward to dancing for the amazing community we have right now, dancing on stage with all my friends, and the new choreography that has been fitted to all of us” “It’s amazing to see the progress these dancers have made over the last year,” said Mr. Nezha. “You can see and feel their hard work and commitment, and I’m excited to finally see them on stage.” The production is a longstanding holiday tradition that tells the magical story of a young girl, Clara, her Nutcracker Prince, and their adventures with toy soldiers, mice, dancing snowflakes, and a Sugar Plum Fairy in the dazzling Land of Sweets.
First performed 82 years ago, it holds the record of the longest running annual production in North America. The late Marie Bollinger- Vogt, founder and artistic director emerita of Toledo Ballet, procured parts of Tchaikovsky’s score from Russia to stage her first production.
Toledo Ballet continues to honor her memory to this day with every “Nutcracker” performance. For the first time since the inception of Toledo Ballet’s Adaptive Dance program in 2009, Avin Hatch, a student from the program will share the stage with all her peers. “This year’s “Nutcracker” will be different in many ways,” said ballet faculty and founder of the Adaptive Dancer Program, Ann Heckler. “For the first time, we have a truly inclusive cast. Our cast represents our school, which represents our community.”
“We are beyond excited to see Avin on stage–this is a really big deal. We are so thankful to Eric Otto for being open minded and giving Avin the opportunity to showcase her abilities. There is no better advocate than Ann (Heckler) who knew that Avin is capable of performing in the “Nutcracker,”” said Donna Hatch, Avin’s mother. Joining Ms. Hatch and the rest of the cast is nonambulatory dancer DeMarco Sleeper, a member of the Dancing Wheels Company in Cleveland.
Featured in Dance Magazine’s 25 to Watch in 2021, DeMarco will dance alongside Toledo Ballet alumna McKenzie Beaverson, also a company member of Dancing Wheels. Marissa Thomas, associate artist and teaching artist of the South Chicago Dance Theatre and tour manager for the Dancing Wheels Company and School, will join the pair.
Additional ballet alumnae being featured include Kendra Beaverson, the Joyce Dalton Baton and Dance Studio; Sabrina Bourell, the Washington Ballet; Gwenivere Durand, Toledo Ballet; and Kathleen Bostleman, New York, New York.
The principal guest artist roles of Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier will be danced by international guest artists Katia Raj and Gustavo Ramirez. Ms. Raj began her training at the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, DC and then danced with Gelsey Kirkland Ballet in New York City. She danced alongside Misty Copland in the Open World Dance Foundation’s benefit performance of Cinderella.
Mr. Ramirez is principal dancer at Ballet Fantastique in Eugene, Oregon. Originally from Columbia, he has danced a number of principal roles and performed with the American Ballet Theatre and Mikhailovsky Ballet Theater. As is tradition at Toledo Ballet, the iconic role of Mother Ginger, traditionally performed by a man, will spotlight four community leaders including Paul Favorite, chief operating officer of Shumaker, Loop, and Kendrick, presenting sponsor, on December 10, at 7 p.m.; Stuart James, executive director of the Ability Center, on December 11, at 2 p.m.; Jason Kucsma, executive director and fiscal officer of Toledo Lucas County Public Library, on December 10, at 2 p.m.; Timothy Van Tuinen, member at MacMillan, Sobanski, and Todd, LLC, December 9, at 11 a.m.
How To Watch Online
Available online Saturday, December 10, at 2 and 7 p.m., via TAPA streaming. Cost is $34.99. Visit toledoballet.com or stream.artstoledo.com.
