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Home > Blogs > Arts and Entertainment > Archives > 2009 > December > 13 > Entry
Crisp ‘Nutcracker’ sharpens focus
One of the things that sets the Dayton Ballet’s “Nutcracker” apart from others is the scene in which the rats take over the house late in Act 1.
What used to be a home invasion during which they carted off a family’s Christmas now seems more like a renovation project. The rodents clear the floor and knock down the walls to facilitate a transformation from Dayton in 1915 to the timeless Land of Snow.
Several nips and tucks have been made in the two-act, less than two-hour work by Dermot Burke and Karen Russo Burke, adding up to a brisk, lively and focused show with few empty or muddled moments.
The opening party sets the tone with a sharper profile, more dancing and a budding relationship between Uncle Drosselmeyer (Lowell Mathwich) and Aunt Byrd (Christie Forehand); plus more prominence for the opening night’s vivacious young trio of Erin Donnelly, Mary Grace Donnelly and Kaylee Palmer as Jinny (the Clara character in other “Nutcrackers”), Josephine and Hermene.
The girls are based on then-future Dayton arts leaders Virginia Kettering, Josephine Schwarz and Hermene Schwarz.
Dancing by the principals was technically excellent and dramatically satisfying for the most part — led by Erika Cole as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Grant Dettling as the Cavalier, Halliet Slack as the Snow Queen with Dillon Anthony as the Snow King, and Katie Keith as the Dew Drop Fairy. Leading roles are double cast.
The toy soldiers marched crisply with high knees, the little mice were cute and the lambs drew chuckles with their antics.
“The Nutcracker” will continue through Dec. 20 at the Schuster Performing Arts Center, Second and Main streets. Tickets are $37-$70 for adults at (937) 228-3630, toll free at (888) 228-3630 or www.ticketcenterstage.com.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Dance, Review
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By nurses
December 15, 2009 8:56 AM | Link to this
Don’t forget our Dr. who was i the Nutcracker…Yea….She rocks…..awesome…
By Cooking games
May 30, 2011 1:32 PM | Link to this
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