The holidays are all about tapping our childhood memories, and holiday dance productions follow suit by emphasizing tradition over innovation.
Like millions around the world, Gil Boggs cherishes his memories of watching “The Nutcracker” with his mother and sister.
“It was an annual ritual for our family,” said Boggs, artistic director of the Colorado Ballet. “But it was more entertainment at that time. The spark for (dancing) really happened once I started taking lessons.”
It may come as no surprise that Boggs’ first lead role was in the Atlanta Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker,” performing Balanchine’s version of the Chinese Dance.
“It catapulted my feelings about having a career in dance,” Boggs admitted. “If you’re in the profession, you’re going to dance ‘The Nutcracker.’ ”
Indeed, the two-act classic is as familiar as it is widespread, thrilling kids and reassuring adults with emotive movement and larger-than-life costumes and sets. It evolves just enough each year to offer something fresh without upsetting tradition.
Choreographed to Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s romantic score, the ballet has played an integral role in many dance companies’ repertoire since debuting outside of Russia in 1934. It’s as much a rite as hanging lights, exchanging gifts or gathering to break bread.
The Colorado Ballet’s “Nutcracker,” which runs through Dec. 24 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, will once again use former artistic director Martin Fredmann’s choreography, with tweaks by ballet mistress Sandra Brown. Ninety children from the Colorado Ballet’s two schools will take part.
“We changed things in the staging that are very subtle,” Boggs said. “A lot of people probably wouldn’t recognize it, but things like Clara and Drosselmeyer’s reaction to each other, where the battle scene takes place, and people’s actions at the party. We try to highlight some of the lighthearted moments, because there are quite a few.”
Boggs said it also helps keep the show fresh for the dancers, many of whom have performed “The Nutcracker” several times.
“It runs the risk of becoming stale if you do exactly the same thing year after year,” he said. “For example, we added a Dew Drop to Waltz of the Flowers this year, as opposed to Clara and the Prince dancing again.”
We surveyed the suite of holiday dance productions along the Front Range to bring you this “Nutcracker”-heavy sampling:
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance:Cleo’s treasured “Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum” returns for its 16th season, with senior ensemble member Marisa Mack taking over as “Granny” and Mark Caldwell returning for a second season as musical director. Weekends through Dec. 23, various times, $25-$38, Byron Theatre at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts, 303-871-7720 or .
Ballet Nouveau Colorado:This Broomfield-based company has completely remade its “Nutcracker” with new costumes, sets, location and choreography by new artistic director Garrett Ammon and associate artistic director Dawn Fay. Tonight-Sunday and Dec. 14-16, Pinnacle Events Center, $25-$30, 303-466-5685 or .
David Taylor Dance Theater:Taylor’s entertaining “Nutcracker” features several new company members including Mira Allmeyer, who will alternate the roles of Clara and the Sugarplum Fairy. Artistic director emeritus David Taylor plays Drosselmeyer. Dec. 15-16 and Dec. 20-23, Lakewood Cultural Center, $36, child and senior discounts available, 303-987-7845 or .
Ballet Ariel:This contemporary, multicultural take on “The Nutcracker” features Ballet Arts Theatre artistic director Paul Noel Fiorino in the role of Cavalier and Rebecca Vernon as the Snow Queen. Dec. 9 and Dec. 15-16, Cleo Parker Robinson Theatre, $10-$15, 303-282-9828 or .
Zamuel Ballet School:Zamuel’s charming “Nutcracker,” which features Lucien Postlewaite and Ilya Kozadayev, plays Colorado Springs’ Mitchell Theater Saturday-Sunday before visiting Denver’s Teikyo Loretto Heights Theater on Dec. 15. $15-$20, 719-570-1441 or .
John Wenzel: 303-954-1642 or jwenzel@denverpost.com
