“The Nutcracker” is about transformation, unity and the triumph of love. But also nasty mice, a big rat, toy soldiers and a giant Christmas tree.
Russian ballerina Julia Ponomareva, who gave an exquisite performance Tuesday night before a near full-house in the Savannah Center, understands the holiday magic of Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker.”
“It’s a fairy tale come to life,” said Ponomareva, who with her husband Alexsey Kuznetsov is part of the Dance Alive National Ballet Company. It is based in Gainesville and is a state touring company of Florida.
“The Nutcracker has everything: kids, animals and wonderful music and dancing,” Ponomareva said after the ballet ended.
About 45 members of the company performed on stage. A high point of the evening came with the “Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier,” featuring Ponomareva and Kuznetsov. Their grace, style and elegance radiated throughout the dance.
A special chemistry exists between these two, who have been married for three years.
“We have complete trust in each other,” Ponomareva said. “When I do a lift, I have total trust in him. It’s a natural and special thing when you dance with someone you love.”
Kuznetsov agreed. “We love being together on and off stage.”
You can see a short clip of the two dancing together on our Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=820093104696726&set=vb.542858205753552&type=2&theater
They were part of a thoroughly entertaining “Nutcracker.” It has become a holiday staple with the story of Clara, Drosselmeyer, the Mouse King, Sugar Plum Fairy, the Prince and, of course, the Nutcracker.
Here’s the lowdown: Clara saves the Nutcracker, who turns into a handsome prince.
Among the highlights Tuesday included:
Douglas de Oliveira made an ideal Nutcracker Prince with his acrobatic leaps, physical stature and athletic power. Nika Sourakov as Sara was delightfully rambunctious and spunky.
Gretel Batista and Andre Valladon complemented each other in “Sprits of the Forest.” Ines Albertini and Tak Kwan Chu combined for “Tea From China.” Andre Valladon also soared on the “Russian” dance with Stephanie Roig.
Tony Mancuso made a delightfully scary Uncle Drosselmeyer. Stephon Johnson as the Mouse King, and Carla Amancio in “Waltz of the Cystalline Flowers,” also earned accolades.
One of the most popular moments of the night came when “Mother Goose and her Tumblers,” took the stage for ballet-style gymnastics.
Everything ended in perfect style as the entire company filled the stage for the “Final Waltz.”
Put it all together with Tchaikovsky’s music and you have a tale to warm the Christmas season.
“For me, tonight is a dream come true; I’ve wanted to see ‘The Nutcracker’ in person all my life,” said Lison Jacques, who attended the ballet with her daughter, Naomi, 6.
“I’ve been watching videos of ‘The Nutcracker’ since I was kid but I never thought I’d see it in person,” said Jacques, who works in The Villages. “Now I have.”
Naomi, a kindergarten student at The Villages Charter School, also enjoyed the ballet. “I like the dancers,” she said. Mom added: “We’re having a girls’ night out. I’ve got two boys at home but they’re not interested in ballet.”
Larry Combs, who lives in the Village of Calumet Grove, wasn’t much of a “Nutcracker” fan until Tuesday. Olga Combs, his wife, brought him along to the ballet.
“I wasn’t sure about coming, but I really liked it,” he said. “I was amazed at the dancing.”
Olga Combs has been a fan of the ballet most of her life. “It was great to see it again,” she said. “I love the ballet and the story. When they danced the waltz, it brought back so many memories from my childhood.”
“The Nutcracker” has that power.
“It’s a magical story and it never grows old,” said Kim Tuttle, executive artistic director of Dance
Alive National Ballet. “The version we do is a very friendly version and not a stuffy one. We do it all over Florida this time of year. There’s something special about ‘The Nutcracker.’ I can’t explain it, but it just makes you feel good.”
Tony Violanti covers entertainment for Villages-News.com. He can be reached at tviolanti@villages-news.com
Tchaikovsky’s ‘Nutcracker’ brings holiday magic to Savannah Center
