What? Tap dancing in Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet The Nutcracker? Not what you might expect when watching a December performance by the Westchester Ballet Company, right? But that’s the whole point. WBC is changing things up as part of their 75th anniversary, and this production sets the stage.
Says Executive Director, Amy Harte, “We have produced a Nutcracker for the past 39 years – the community knows that version very well. This year we decided to offer a new Nutcracker with a new associate artistic director Sabrina Lobner, and the production is incredible. I’m so excited by the level of creativity and the imagination that’s been put to that Tchaikovsky score. The basic story remains the same, but every dance is new.”
As an example, the main character is being portrayed by an 8-year-old which is a departure from previous productions. “And this young girl is extraordinary, says Lobner. “She knocked their socks off when she walked in at the audition. For this young age, she is focused and really understands how to inhabit the character.”
Lobner added, “Building a brand-new work is collaborative. Some parts of the story line may be a little unique to this production, but we’re all working in tandem – costume designer, props, rehearsal directors. It’s really satisfying to come together as a company, work with the next generation of dance leaders in the world of ballet who grew up in a different milieu, build something from the ground up, and then head on stage and share it with people. “
Harte described how the dancers found their way to this new production: “Our after-school program in the public schools is now coming into our performance side as we build a bridge between these two aspects of our organization. We have two dancers this fall who auditioned and are
performing with us in The Nutcracker. Their first introduction to ballet was taking weekly classes at their public schools – one is from Brookside Elementary School in Ossining and one is from Winfield L. Morse School in Sleepy Hollow – and are now rehearsing with us on the weekends. It’s a springboard – a definite pathway – and we make the commitment to these student dancers to cover their expenses with financial assistance they can take wherever they want to study. This model is getting a lot of traction because it’s highly unusual that a young dancer outside of being in a program like an ABT would have the opportunity to do full ballets as opposed to recitals. “
For Gianna Saetta, who performs as Clara in the Nutcracker, dance will definitely be a part of her future. “I’m loving every minute. All of the new choreography is beautiful, and I can’t wait to see the whole production come together on stage,” said Saetta. “I have a lot of big goals and dreams like to be on Broadway one day. I know I still have a lot of hard work to do and I’m excited to see what my future holds. My advice for the girl to play the lead next year? Enjoy every moment of it. Work hard, be confident and most importantly have fun.”
Lobner added this perspective: “We’re introducing dance as an input in childhood that can create opportunities, unlock potential, and take them where they want to go – this is what makes us feel we’re on the right path.”
A P.S.: I mentioned tap dancing at the top of this article, and I’ve been sworn to secrecy on some of the other new features of the WBC’s Nutcracker, but I can share some tips on what to watch while in the audience this December: Dancing mice that emerge from a large hand-crafted grandfather clock, gingerbread cookies making an appearance in an animated way, paper mâché showing up in king-and-queen-size fashion, and harlequin design taking on new meaning.
But you have to see it to appreciate it. For as Harte says: “You can’t beat live performance.”
Performances for schools and seniors: Thursday, Dec. 11, at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 12, at 10:30 a.m.
Performances for the general public: Saturday, Dec. 13, at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 14 at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.
All performances at Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, 250 Bedford Park Blvd, W., Bronx, NY
1 hour, 45 minutes with 15-minute intermission.
