Rosecliff Mansion, Newport, RI.
November 26, 2025.
This Nutcracker was made for this area, Rosecliff Mansion, Newport Modern Ballet Creative Director Danielle Genest affirmed in her “curtain” speech – made 25 years in the past by Eva Marie Pacheco, Michael Bolger, and Miki Ohlsen. At this milestone anniversary, the corporate has reconceptualized the second act, to make it even extra really Newport, Genest defined.
And the corporate completely delivered on that; the second act burst with contemporary, engaging reimaginings of the standard Nutcracker Land of Sweets variations, every uniquely Newport (with memorable new costumes from Deanna Gerde).
The Nutcracker being shared custom is a stunning factor about it – but why not combine up custom, every firm including their very own character and id? Why not hold it new, thrilling, and finally timeless? Newport Modern Ballet has accomplished simply that with its reimagined 25th anniversary providing of the vacation basic.
The overture crammed the area, kicking off the magic and setting the stage for the social gathering visitors’ anticipatory pleasure. Seeing this opening night time efficiency on Thanksgiving Eve, this second of constructing pleasure and pleasure felt like a really particular starting of vacation cheer.
The social gathering scene within the grand Rosecliff ballroom introduced the intimate luster and marvel that it does yearly; being proper up shut on the social gathering brings the viewers into the little moments of drama that make it really feel keenly lifelike. Varied characters added their very own distinctive aptitude, creating an additional sense of this being a gaggle of dynamic people.
Tyler Diggs danced Drosselmeyer with a clean mysteriousness that felt excellent for the character. Abigail Molina as Ballerina Doll danced with equal elements harmless sweetness and rigorous technical precision. Amelia Bednar as Sailor Doll, with a navel-inspired costume, introduced energy and exactness befitting strict army requirements but in addition saved the accessibility and enjoyable of a toy dropped at life.
Eva Gail Mulrooney as Tess Oelrichs (NCB’s Clara) moved with mature size and energy, and the sweetness of an enchanted younger girl. Apprentice Mia Nolte (new to the corporate this yr) danced Rat Queen with an explosive abandon good for the character, and which additionally has me wanting ahead to seeing her develop as an artist with the corporate.
The pleasant Battle Scene with the rats (older college students) and mice (youthful college students) appeared like one of many parts the corporate retains from yr to yr as a result of it merely works; humorous touches, equivalent to throwing cheese blocks, make a probably scary scene really pleasing for the complete household.
Snow was as ethereal and enchanting as ever. The straightforward grace with which dancers deal with this variation’s calls for of athleticism and stamina: it at all times astounds me! The Snow Queen and King Margot Aknin and Josh Thake provided an magnificence as pure because the shine of newly fallen snow. Simply as with lighting all through the present (by Stephen Petrilli), the projections of silvery sparkles on the white again wall of the ballroom contributed to my immersion within the magical world earlier than me.
The Rose Attendants, absolutely filling the stage with pretty poise and beauty, introduced us into Act II. Lauren Difede because the Rose Fairy (a brand new form of Sugarplum Fairy) offered the epitome of such poise, wrapped with a heat smile and alluring presence. She danced with only a sprint of stately confidence, a pinch of one thing a simply bit extra regal, along with her following solo variation. All of these qualities had been the proper combine for turning into captivated by the intriguing character.
“Easton’s Beachgoers” was the primary of the Nutcracker cultural variations that Newport Modern Ballet has reconceptualized this yr to make it uniquely Newport. Grace Byars and Josh Thake – sporting fashionable, vibrantly colourful swimwear of the Gilded Age – danced swimming motions and lifts embodying ocean waves. Their joyful efficiency high quality felt like the straightforward brightness of an ideal summer season day on the seaside.
“Bellevue Home Koi Fish”, danced by Margot Aknin and Sarah Murphy, made visceral the attract of those unique fish. Their pink and orange hand-held streamers rippled simply as softly as koi fish fins, effortlessly transferring by means of these creatures’ component. Aknin and Murphy introduced all that intrigue and pure magnificence to life by means of their artistry. Mia Nolte danced the lead of “Oysters and Pearls” with candy elan, supported by a trusty group of youthful performers. Her small jumps and fast strains wholly met the rating’s luminosity.
“A Trio for Tennis” (with Amelia Bednar, Abigail Molina and Ken Shiozawa) provided the entire sophistication of a Tennis Corridor of Fame match, with tennis actions besides. Their stage patterns mirrored thought of, skillful athleticism, and a joint serving movement on the final word a unification inside that endeavor (in addition to being plain satisfying!).
The high-flying Harbor Regatta introduced a sailor’s twist to this at all times jaw-droppingly athletic variation; costumes had been in navel stripes, simply because the Sailor Doll of Act I, additionally with angular sailor’s hats. Tyler Diggs danced with a satisfying sense of assault, but additionally delicate receptivity. I stay up for watching him develop with the corporate as properly.
“Mom Nature” (Bethany Peterson) danced along with her Butterflies and Bees, the numerous ensemble (additionally with Tess) embodying nature’s concord. The younger dancers provided such pretty pleasure and efficiency presence that I had a kind of treasured “I’ve real hope for the following technology” moments.
The Flowers started their dance with a motion that signified wrapping leaves over Tess – as if in safety, maybe a bestowing of their natural grace. Embodying Newport’s famed hydrangea bushes, as a reconceptualization of Dew Drop, Jenna Torgeson carried out with soothing pleasure – a relaxed bliss in her each transferring second.
The floral ensemble, with inexperienced bodices and lengthy skirts of various colours, moved as a multi-colored backyard. Their patterns throughout the stage gave a way of flowers in a backyard swaying side-to-side in a delicate breeze. Surrounding Tess in a half-circle once more to finish the variation, they re-conferred on her their safety and beauty.
The athletic artistry once more peaked with the Grand Pas de Deux. Simply as characterised the corporate’s Season 44 Opener two months in the past, Lauren Difede and Nathan Crewe-Kluge danced with the unstated realizing of colleagues who’ve danced collectively for years. They very a lot met this variation’s name for regal, classical majesty.
The finale of the entire magical realm united – at all times bursting with joyful dynamism – moved into the Rose Fairy inserting the Nutcracker the place Tess may obtain it upon waking. We noticed that, with the entire anticipated pleasure of a younger woman being reunited with a favourite toy. She then ran off, holding it up excessive and able to adore it.
That is how the corporate’s Nutcracker sometimes ends – yet one more of these parts that appears to stay as a result of it works! Considerate artistry entails holding what works and refining, even utterly taking again to the drafting board, what doesn’t – or any strategy alongside that spectrum. What issues is what serves the work, the artist, and the viewers.
With a contemporary reconceptualizing of a lot of their Newport Nutcracker, to make it really distinctive to them and their house, this firm has accomplished simply that. I hope to see extra dance organizations taking a web page out of their guide, and – as at all times – what else this firm has to current subsequent. Till then!
By Kathryn Boland of Dance Informa.
