New York City Ballet Principal Dancers Unity Phelan and Indiana Woodward will return to Eastern Connecticut Ballet's "The Nutcracker" this year. As the Sugarplum Fairy and Snow Queen, Phelan will demonstrate her incandescent stage presence and Wooward, a rising star known for her esprit and elegance, will show her impressive energy dancing the role of the Dew Drop Fairy.
ECB has many special connections to New York City Ballet, thanks to the school’s artistic director Gloria Govrin. Formerly a soloist with NYCB under the direction of George Balanchine, Govrin once thrilled audiences for the Nutcracker in a role that Balanchine created just for her. Now she combines her experience and vision to direct ECB’s production.
A legendary ballet master and founder of NYCB, Balanchine made The Nutcracker an American tradition. Sixty-five years later, the ECB performance captures his spirit in every step and grand jeté.
Set in New London in the 1850s, ECB’s Nutcracker is like none of the many adaptations offered by ballet companies from coast to coast every December. Although its plot is a simple one — a little girl with big dreams takes a magical voyage around the world —The Nutcracker is a complex production that requires a huge cast of dancers and actors. Among these are the heroine Clara and her brave Nutcracker, mysterious Uncle Drosselmeyer, tiny mice, sailors and pirates, waltzing flowers, the spicy Mother Ginger and many more.
Tchaikovsky’s music captivates audiences with well-known symphonic melodies. Adding to the fun are special effects such as a flying Christmas tree, a clock that resembles an owl, a magical, moving ship, a mysterious fog at sea, and an onstage snowstorm for the Waltz of the Snowflakes.
December of 2018, audiences were treated to their first look at ECB's spectacular redesigned scenery. The stage sets showcase tall ships in port, the New London Custom House, Whale Oil Row, lighthouses, and a sea captain's Victorian home. Snowflakes swirl over Arctic ice fields where the city's whaling ships once ventured on harrowing voyages.
“ECB's Nutcracker is our gift to the community during the holiday season. Many of our dancers are young men and women from throughout Eastern Connecticut; this is their moment to shine after months of practice and rehearsals,” said Lise Reardon, executive director and founder of ECB.
ECB's The Nutcracker is truly a community celebration with a special connection to our past and present. It would not be possible without the generosity of our donors and the dedication of our volunteers. A full list of donors and sponsors is posted at easternctballet.org.
To share all of the magic of “The Nutcracker” with friends and family this December, visit gardearts.org or call the Garde box office at 860-444-7373, Ext 1
Special rates are available for seniors (65 and over), military, and groups of 15 or more.
