Chicago Festival Ballet returns with 'The Nutcracker'
Most everyone knows the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, whose encounter with three spirits leads him to see kindness in the world, himself and the Christmas season.
Most people also know the tale of George Bailey. An angel, Clarence, shows him holiday spirit and how it truly is "A Wonderful Life."
It's also a safe bet that young, old and everyone in between can recite a few lines from "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," Clement Moore's tale that has put visions of sugar plums dancing in children's heads since 1822.
But one of the most famous Christmas tales of all does not feature ghosts, was not directed by Frank Capra and does not rhyme.
In fact, it doesn't have any words at all.
"The Nutcracker," the story of a girl named Clara and her dreams about adventures with the Nutcracker Prince, has become part of Christmas tradition since Russian composer Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky created the ballet in 1892.
Ninety-eight years later, the ballet was adapted by renowned ballet dancer and choreographer Ken von Heidecke for his Chicago Festival Ballet company. The group has taken the show to 10 states and Canada, as well as performing it at home in the suburbs.
This year, von Heidecke is bringing the show Sunday, Nov. 30, to the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet and in December to the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn.
Von Heidecke promises a high-quality performance, complete with complex dancing, local and professional talent, beautiful scenery and Tchaikovsky's famous score performed by the New Philharmonic Orchestra.
"Tchaikovsky's score is absolutely amazing," von Heidecke said. "A lot of people lose sight of the genius and brilliance, musically."
Von Heidecke studied under legendary prima ballerina Maria Tallchief, who starred as the Sugar Plum Fairy in the premiere of the best-known version of "The Nutcracker," choreographed by dance legend George Balanchine and performed by the New York City Ballet in 1954. Now von Heidecke will exercise his ballet expertise as choreographer.
"(This ballet) is really most advanced because the dancers are trained in the Balanchine tradition," von Heidecke said.
He also cited his goal for the production as "telling the story" and not losing the tale though complex and confusing dancing that has become a "hodgepodge tradition."
He does, however, change the choreography each year to add more layers to the ballet and to further define the characters.
"Every year the role of Clara is refined more and more in order to show off her characteristics," said dancer Ashley Michalek. "It always gets harder and harder."
Michalek, a 17-year-old Von Heidecke student from Aurora, is playing Clara.
Although this is her third year in the production, it is her first time having a solo role.
"I love performing," she said. "You're the person everyone's looking up to. Ballet isn't something everyone does."
Von Heidecke's "Nutcracker" also differs from the traditional ballet in that it includes more acrobatic tricks and gymnasts.
Ric Bellino, an 18-year-old from St. Charles, is a gymnast, swimmer and cheerleader, which he believes gives him the ideal skills to be a tumbler in the show, particularly in the Russian dance "Trepak."
"The music really pumps me up," he said. "I enjoy being on stage doing flips in front of everyone."
The production features not only skilled gymnasts but longtime ballet professionals, too.
Teanna Zarro, who has received extensive training and danced with more than seven ballet companies, is enjoying her seventh year as the Sugar Plum Fairy.
"Performing and being on stage is always a challenge," she said. "You never know what's going to happen. But it's so rewarding in that it takes a lot of physical determination and it becomes something artistic."
Other professionals and returning cast members include Guillermo Leyva, Ariel Cisneros, Vanessa Valecillos, J.P Tenuta and Jacob Brooks.
Not all the dancers are longtime professionals, however.
"It is pure pleasure to work with these dancers of such high caliber," said von Heidecke. "But I also delight in working with our littlest angels who are 7 and 8 years old."
What these younger ballerinas lack in age, they make up with enthusiasm and passion.
"I think dance is really magical," said Kasia Przybyo, 10, of Naperville. "You can express yourself, and once you learn it, it's like a second home."
In addition to the art created by the dancers themselves, the scenery for "The Nutcracker" has its own beauty. The detailed sets by Sahin Sahinogla of Istanbul, Turkey, will include new backdrops.
Tutus are designed and made by New York City's Oswaldo Munic, who also designs for the American Ballet Theatre. The New Philharmonic Orchestra will be performing the score live under the direction of conductor Kirk Muspratt.
All of this talent, passion and background sets can only make for glorious scenes, especially one in particular. The end of the first act, Ballet Blanc, brings inspiration as a high point for both von Heidecke and the performers.
"It's really something spiritual," von Heidecke said. "Everyone is in white, everyone is breathing together. It's really a quintessential element."
"The music is so beautiful," Zarro added. "There's something magical about it."
Whether it be Ballet Blanc, beautiful settings, the traditional ballet style of Balanchine or the classical music, "The Nutcracker" is a holiday-season staple and an experience far beyond any movie or bedtime story.
"It has such a great family atmosphere," said Naperville soloist Lindsey Skov. "There's something for everyone. It's just a traditional family show."
What: "The Nutcracker" performed by Chicago Festival Ballet
When: 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30
Where: Rialto Square Theater, 15 E. Van Buren St., Joliet
Tickets: $30 to $38 for adults and $20.50 for children 12 and younger
Info: (815) 726-6600
What: Additional performances of "The Nutcracker"
When: 7 p.m. Dec. 19 and 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 20 and 21
Where: McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, Fawell and Park boulevards, Glen Ellyn
Tickets: $35 for adults, $33 for seniors, $25 for children
Info: (630) 942-4000