My daughter and I had the opportunity to go see Keith Michael's The Nutcracker performed by the New York Theatre Ballet Company at the Florence Gould Hall in New York City. Now in its sixth year, Keith Michael's The Nutcracker is a gift that will last for many years.
Set to Tchaikovsky's timeless score and adapted to reflect an Art Nouveau style circa 1907, the show had the perfect combination of energetic dancing and visual effects to keep even my almost five year old daughter captivated.
Set to Tchaikovsky's timeless score and adapted to reflect an Art Nouveau style circa 1907, the show had the perfect combination of energetic dancing and visual effects to keep even my almost five year old daughter captivated.
Michael's choreography was on point. The Clockmaker Drosselmayer added levity to the story, and the Sugar Plum Fairy was elegant and stunning. One of my favorite parts of The Nutcracker is usually the Russian dance for its high energy and acrobatic feats. In this rendition of The Nutcracker, the Russian dance "Russian Boules" did not disappoint. The dancers cleverly used yoga balls to add theatrical flair to the delight of the audience members. The Chinese dance "Chinese Chopsticks" was the hidden gem of the show. The dancers used life-sized chopsticks as props, which was unexpected and delightful.
(Photo credits: Rachel Neville)
The costumes, designed by Metropolitan Opera's Resident Costume Designer Sylvia Taalsohn Nolan, were exceptional. They truly reflected the Art Nouveau style of the story with its vibrant colors and bold patterns.
Keith Michael's The Nutcracker performed a sold out show, with good reason. If you have the opportunity to see it next year - reserve tickets early!
Macaroni Tips:
The one-hour ballet is just the right length for a younger audience (ages 4 and up).
There is no intermission so be sure to use the restrooms before the show starts.
No food or drinks are allowed at Florence Gould Hall but there are plenty of food options in the area.
Garage parking is conveniently across the street. Plan to spend a couple of hours around Central Park after the show to get your money's worth.
Disclosure: Macaroni Kid Northeast Bergen was provided complimentary tickets for the purpose of this review. All opinions are solely that of the author.
