A scene from DALA’s ‘Sugar Plum on the Hill Part III The Mysterious March’ Friday at Duane Smith Auditorium. Performances continue at 2 p.m. today, Dec. 6 and 2 p.m. Sunday. Dec. 7. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com
A scene from DALA’s ‘Sugar Plum on the Hill Part III The Mysterious March’. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com
Review by ALISON WATKINS
Los Alamos
It wouldn’t be Christmas in Los Alamos without The Nutcracker, and for the last decade that tradition has taken the form of Dance Arts Los Alamos (DALA) Artistic Director Jonathan Guise’s award-winning trilogy, Nutcracker on “The Hill”. First debuting to wide acclaim in 2015, the production has become a beloved holiday staple.
This year’s presentation, Sugar Plum on “The Hill”, the third installment in the trilogy, marks a bittersweet milestone — the final chapter … at least for now.
For those unfamiliar with the story, the first installment, Nutcracker on “The Hill” begins at a Christmas party at Fuller Lodge during the Manhattan Project in 1944 where the festivities are in full swing. There you will find such notable characters as Edward Teller, Hans Bethe, and of course, J. Robert Oppenheimer, more affectionately known as “Oppie.” Gwen Groves is also there, stepping into a central role in the story. Things take an unexpected turn at this party which ultimately lead to the Rat Queen taking over the Land of Sweets. Ratcracker on “The Hill” picks up where the first installment left off and is rather ‘upside down’ in the sense that the ballet starts in the Land of Sweets and ends with the characters back in Fuller Lodge. Friday’s performance begins the final installment of the trilogy and the epic battle between good and evil.
Sugar Plum on “The Hill” opens with the youngest dancers skating at the outdoor ice rink in Los Alamos. What follows is an absolute tour de force, as the audience is treated to a 20-minute onstage hockey match between the Los Alamos Ranch School boys and the Santa Fe Indian School girls. The choreography, acting, and costumes come together seamlessly to create a truly memorable piece. The comedic gestures and playful banter among the players are especially delightful. Guise took great care to include many historical elements in all three of the ballets, such as the costumes for the Ranch School boys including shorts (in winter!) and the poignant “Last Class” scene at the Los Alamos Ranch School. It’s no wonder Nutcracker on “The Hill” received the Dorothy Woodward New Mexico Historical Society award for historical excellence. When you talk with Guise about the historical details, you almost get the sense that the history excites him just as much as the dancing.
Act I features Matthew De Smith reprising his role as Oppie for a third time. The role of The Spy is being played this year by Jana Gauss who did a fantastic job with the partnering that was required in her role, especially in the Pas de Trois at the end of Act 1. Fuller Lodge comes alive with the youthful energy of Manhattan Project–era swing dancers, all set against the beloved backdrop of the Pajarito Room and its glittering Christmas tree—a sight cherished by audiences who return to this ballet year after year. I also enjoyed seeing DALA faculty member, Rachel Zervakos getting in on the fun in her delightful performance as the Time Travel Spy.
After intermission, get ready for a delightful Act 2 as we are transported with Gwen Groves to the Land of Sweets. Guise has made some wonderful changes to the traditional dances in the Land of Sweets by including Spanish Flamenco, a Japanese Parasol Dance, and a Georgian dance which concludes with an impressive lift by young dancers Benji Minko and Lexi Pack. Ciara Hinrichs makes her debut as the Snow Queen joining returning DALA guest artist Christo McMaster in a lovely pas de deux against a backdrop of snow. Sierra Esquibel absolutely shines as Rani, the Hindu Queen in Desert Sunset. Her radiant energy and captivating smile draw the audience in, while the piece highlights a style of dance not often seen in The Nutcracker. In addition, Costume Mistress Daria Cuthbertson really hit the mark on the gorgeous costumes in this piece.
Our journey through the Land of Sweets concludes with the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, a role reprised by Allyson Harbert, alongside her Cavalier, performed by Jasper Lee in his debut. The audience will be awed by the pair’s technical mastery and stage presence in a memorable pas de deux.
Performances continue at 2 p.m. today, Dec. 6, and Sunday, Dec. 7 at the Duane Smith Auditorium. Tickets are $25 for general admission; $15 for seniors; and $10 for students. Children ages 3 and younger are free. Tickets are available at the door or https://danceartslosalamos.org/.
A scene from DALA’s ‘Sugar Plum on the Hill Part III The Mysterious March’. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com
A scene from DALA’s ‘Sugar Plum on the Hill Part III The Mysterious March’. Courtesy/DALA