Scene from the Dance Arts Los Alamos 2023 production of ‘The Nutcracker’. Courtesy/DALA
Scene from the Dance Arts Los Alamos 2023 production of ‘The Nutcracker’. Courtesy/DALA
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Dance Arts Los Alamos’s (DALA) epic re-interpretation of the “Nutcracker” ballet returns Dec. 6-8 with “RATcracker”.
This is the sequel to “Nutcracker on the Hill” and pretty much picks up where the original ballet concludes. It is Christmas Eve, 1944, and things have gone awry. The rats, led by the Rat Queen, have conquered the Land of Sweets. Meanwhile, J. Robert Oppenheimer and Gwen Groves are trapped in the fantasy land but have teamed up with the Sugar Plum Fairy and her friends to battle the Rat Queen and return safely home.
With this plot twist, everything is backwards from the traditional ballet. The show starts in the Land of Sweets where the Rat Queen and her subjects are having a Christmas party. The second act occurs on Dec. 24, 1944 in Fuller Lodge.
DALA Rehearsal Director and one of the “RATcracker” choreographers Rachel Zervakos said that this year’s production features three new dances as well as one of the largest casts in the show’s history – 121 dancers are taking part in the production.
Among the cast are:
- Jane Mocko, “The Rat Queen” (LAHS Class of 2025)
- Luisa Schmitz, “The Spy” (LAHS Class of 2025)
- Matthew DeSmith, “Robert J. Oppenheimer”
- Sierra Esquibel, “RATcracker Princess”
- Jana Gauss, “Sugar Plum of Integrity”
- Allyson Harbert, “The Sugar Plum Fairy”
- Ciara Hinrichs, “Dew Drop Fairy”
- Anabel Irving, “Snow Queen”
- Margaret Kelley, “Sugar Plum of Grace”
- Anna Simakov, “Nutcracker Princess”
As tradition dictates, a few notable individuals will perform the role of Mother Ginger:
- Ben Neal on Dec. 6;
- Sen. Leo Jaramillo on Dec. 7; and
- David Izraelevitz on Dec. 8.
“RATcracker” is the second installment in a trilogy, which is the brainchild of DALA Director Jonthan Guise and he said he is pleased to share it once again with the community.
“Because it is a community-driven production that involves the history of our community and it’s an opportunity for the dancers to grow into the next level,” he said.
Guise pointed out that a lot of lead ballerinas have grown up with DALA’s Nutcracker – they started out in one of the children’s roles: a mouse, a toy solider or a young party guest.
Zervakos said that this is a one-of-a-kind production that the dancers get to participate in.
“This production is truly unique,” she said. “Mr. Guise has done a tremendous amount of historical research and brought so much creativity to imagining a Los Alamos-specific Nutcracker ballet, and the continuation of storylines for each beloved character throughout the trilogy. In the 2024 production, audiences will see some familiar choreography from the 2021 premiere, as well as new choreography. Working with the dancers and faculty at DALA is such a joy – it is a wonderful environment where creativity is welcomed, the integrity of our art form is highly respected, and everyone supports one another in the process. Los Alamos audiences are getting a real bargain with a production of this scale and caliber right here in our neighborhood. You are not going to find a show, group of dancers, faculty, or dance community like this anywhere else in the world.”
The dancers also shared their excitement.
Luisa Schmitz, who plays the spy, said her role was originally performed by Guise.
“It’s big shoes to fill,” she said. “I played it last year … I’m hoping to make it more personal … and put more of myself into the role.”
Ariana Kimball, who performs as the Sugar Plum Fairy of Joy, said she was fulfilling a childhood dream.
She explained she started dancing in the Nutcracker at age 5 and, “I told my mother that I wanted to play the Sugar Plum…”.
It’s not just the dancers who are eager to share this ballet.
One of the choreographers, Allison Beaux, said, “It’s a lot of work but it’s great. The dancers put in a lot of time and so do all the instructors.”
She pointed out that choreographers work on the choreography at the studio and at their homes and hours at rehearsals are dedicated to each piece.
Beaux added that all this work put into “RATcracker” is a testament that even classic stories can be changed up and presented with a new twist.
RATcracker performances are 7 p.m. Dec. 6 and 2 p.m. Dec. 7-8. All performances are at Duane Smith Auditorium. Tickets are $10-$25 and available now online: https://square.link/u/jZ0TCO9R. They can be purchased at the door, too.
