Review: DALA’s ‘Nutcracker On The Hill’ Showcases The Magic Of The Season

Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on December 1, 2023
- 4:00 pm

Jasper Lee, as the lead in the Russian dance, leaps off the stage during Dance Arts Los Alamos’ (DALA) ‘Nutcracker on the Hill’ at 7 p.m. today and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Duane Smith Auditorium. Photo by Kristen Honig/DALA

Margaret Kelley as the Nutcracker Princess leads the charge during the battle between the toy soldiers and mice in DALA’s ‘The Nutcracker on the Hill’. Photo by Kristen Honig/DALA

Review By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com

Some things never get tired. I was reminded of this fact while watching Dance Arts Los Alamos’ (DALA) rehearsal of “Nutcracker on the Hill” Thursday night. The “Nutcracker” ballet is more than 100 years old and even DALA Director Jonathan Guise’s original take on the classic ballet debuted in 2015.

Yet, similar to other holiday staples like peppermint candy canes and gingerbread cookies, “Nutcracker on the Hill” never dulls. It is just as sweet, refreshing and full of flavor as the first time the ballet was featured on stage.

“Nutcracker on the Hill” follows the same storyline as the original ballet. It opens with a Christmas party and at the party’s conclusion, magic unfolds with a battle between toy soldiers and mice as well as a trip to the Land of Sweets. However, Guise cleverly weaves Los Alamos’ history into his version. The Christmas party occurs during the Manhattan Project with Oppenheimer and Groves attending along with other scientists involved in making the “gadget”.

There is a lot to love with DALA’s production: the beautiful backdrop that is a replicate of the main room in Fuller Lodge and the fantastical pastel sets for the Land of Sweets, the gorgeous costumes courtesy of Costume Mistress Daria Cuthbertson and her team and some impressive special effects that occur during the battle between toy soldiers and mice.

The choreography, created by Guise, Allison Beaux, Lakotia Duncan, Natalie Smith, Luke Reid-Grassia, Audrey Roman, Karen Wilder and Rachel Zervakos is excellent. The snow scene is a true highlight of the ballet and my favorite dance in the Land of Sweets, the Arabian ballet, does not disappoint.

While the entire cast deserves a standing ovation for their incredible performances, special mention needs to go to Luisa Schmitz, who plays the spy. The spy steals national secrets in the ballet; likewise, Schmitz practically steals the show with her charming, coy acting and dancing that perfectly mimics a stealth cat burglar.

Another standout is Joey Moore, who performs as the Snow King and Arabian King. I can only imagine how hard it is to do a pas de deux and Moore is excellent as are his partners: Lianna Dare (Snow Queen) and Anabel Irving (Arabian Queen). Jasper Lee as the lead in the Russian dance and the Russian dance corps show off their exuberance and athletic prowess, which will certainly wow the crowd.

The sets, the costumes, the dancing – I marveled at it all during the rehearsal. I watched “Nutcracker on the Hill” when it debuted eight years ago, and I can assure everyone that the magic is still there; it hasn’t faded. Incredible! One hundred thirty-one years since the ballet was first introduced to the world and there are still new ways to tell it.

DALA performs “Nutcracker on the Hill” 7 p.m. today at the Duane Smith Auditorium as well as 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $20 for general admission, $10 for students and seniors and children three and younger will be admitted for free. Tickets can be purchased at Los Alamos Historical Society, https://checkout.square.site/buy/PGHDL4KGNLLVYLA5E6M3VMHN and at the door.

DALA’ s ‘Nutcracker on the Hill’ is a swinging good time! Here is the scene from the Christmas party in the ballet. Photo by Kristen Honig/DALA

Hannah Lee as ‘mini’ Gwen Groves, Austin Watkins as ‘mini’ Oppie and Alicia Duque as the ‘mini’ spy re-enact the events that led the cast to visit the Land of Sweets in DALA’s ‘The Nutcracker on the Hill’. Photo by Kristen Honig/DALA