Christmas traditions are full of love, pine trees, cookies, and…dance. Shows such as Christmas Joy and the Nutcracker have become family traditions during the holiday season, giving audiences a chance to enjoy stories of celebration through dance. However, the shows are different in both their messages and their styles of dancing. While the Nutcracker is a traditional holiday favorite, Christmas Joy is a New Mexican creation.
The Nutcracker is known throughout the country as a well-loved feature of the holiday season. Russian choreographers Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov adapted the dance from a German tale by E.T.A. Hoffman, and put it to music written by Pyotr Tchaikovsky. Although the production was a failure in Russia at the time it was premiered in 1892, it caught on in America in the 1960s. The ballet tells the story of Clara, a little girl who gets a nutcracker for Christmas and falls asleep that night, dreaming of the Land of Sweets. “In the dream, the Nutcracker turns into a prince, and the people of the Land of Sweets dance for [them],” performer Lilli Dineen ’16 said.
Dineen is part of the Ballet Repertory Theater of New Mexico, the company that has performed the Nutcracker for 18 years at the KiMo Theater. “This year, we’re doing a different version of the ballet,” Dineen said. “Clara is a young girl at the party and an adult while dreaming, so two dancers [play the] role of Clara.” Apart from this deviation, the production will continue to feature the same choreography and story as always.
Dineen has been performing the Nutcracker for five years. “[This year], I’m in the Snow Scene and Waltz of the Flowers, which are some of the core pieces,” she said. “In Act II, I’m [a sweet called] the French Mirliton.” Performing in the Nutcracker requires a lot of dedication. Dineen has been attending five two-hour rehearsals per week and four-hour weekend rehearsals since the beginning of October. “The rehearsals are hard, and the time commitment is hard, but performing makes it all worth it,” she said. Performances will last from Dec. 13-24 at the KiMo Theater, and audience members can expect a wonderful performance that reflects the true spirit of the Nutcracker.
Christmas Joy is another production celebrating Christmas. The show is put on by the Performers Ballet and Jazz Company, founded by Karen Alwin, and tells the story of the birth of Jesus Christ through dance. “Thirty years ago, my ballet teacher, [Alwin], who was also the artistic director of the company, decided to put on an alternative show to the Nutcracker,” performer Cynthia Bauer ’15 said. Unlike the Nutcracker, which is specifically ballet, Christmas Joy features many types of dancing, from pointe to jazz. Wendy Miner, the current artistic director, is not only moving the company forward, but is also keeping the classic feel of the show. This year’s production is special, as it marks the 30th anniversary of Christmas Joy. “In order to celebrate, we’re bringing back some of the original pieces from the 1980s, such as the original ‘Joy to the World,’” Bauer said. “This year is also a tribute to the [Edna Nation, Alwin’s mother], who passed away last year and was a big force in the company.” The company will also display video montages from past productions.
Rehearsals began in August and will last until Dec. 12, when the performances will begin. Company rehearsals last for three hours on Fridays and eight hours on Saturdays. The show does not have specific roles for the dancers, but instead features a wide array of dance numbers. Bauer dances in seven numbers, including the tribute piece to Edna Nation. According to Bauer, the piece is called “Amen” and begins with a Bible verse about how the end of one story is the beginning of everything else. “My favorite part is being backstage and onstage with people I’ve grown up with, as I’ve been in the company for 10 years,” she said. The show will feature a great variety of dances and emotions. “It’s a very meaningful show, and I think [audience members] love to see the story we tell,” Bauer said. “It’s a fun show to watch.” Performances will take place on Dec. 12-14 at the National Hispanic Cultural Center.
Infographic by Caroline Bay
