Next Wednesday, 12/19, marks the 2,000th performance of George Balanchine’s Nutcracker at NYCB. In celebration, they will have a multiple cast of principals dance the three main roles.
Dancing Sugarplum are: Wendy Whelan, Maria Kowroski, Darci Kistler, Abi Stafford, and Yvonne Bourree.
Dancing Cavalier: Jared Angle, Charles Askegard, Gonzalo Garcia, Stephen Hanna, Benjamin Millepied, Philip Neal, and Damian Woetzel.
Dancing Dewdrop: Ashley Bouder, Sterling Hyltin, and Sara Mearns.
Whoa — that’s a lot of dancers dividing up one small part apiece! Look at all those cavaliers! I’m not sure how exactly they’re going to do this, but I’m deeply intrigued. Not sure if I’ll be able to attend, but I’d definitely love to hear from those who do (Philip!)
Also, as Philip has posted, on January 7th the company is airing the new documentary about the life of beloved (now retired) NYCB principal, Jock Soto. This I definitely plan to attend, as the film will eventually air on PBS; something that everyone can access makes me very happy 🙂 Go here for more info on both events.
Unfortunately, I won’t be able to attend the 2000th NUTCRACKER due to budget constraints. A few years ago there was a similar multi-cast NUTCRACKER to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the production. Darci Kistler danced the Sugar Plum’s variation. In the Waltz of the Flowers, Maria K and Alexandra Ansanelli took turns dancing the Dewdrop’s solo passages and they both appeared in the finale of the Waltz. Darci & Jock danced the adagio but in the coda several SPFs and Cavaliers materialized.
I can’t get to that performance either, Tonya, so I think you really need to go to represent all your City Ballet friends who can’t make it. Philip is right about that previous multi-casting performance but I don’t recall that there were really that many participating Sugar Plum Fairys, Cavaliers and Dewdrops. What is the latest count? Five or six SPFs, eight Cavaliers, three Dewdrops? I’m really curious as to how they will get them all in.
Wouldn’t it be fun if they all danced together, side by side? hehe Seven cavaliers onstage at once, making an ensemble piece out of the usual solos…
Sounds interesting.
dare i say it, it sounds a bit gimmicky…