New York Dance Theatre celebrates the holidays with ‘The Nutcracker’
Local young dancers will share the stage with New York City Ballet stars Erica Pereira, a Northport native, and Daniel Ulbricht in New York Dance Theatre’s 42nd season of The Nutcracker at the John Cranford Adams Playhouse at Hofstra University in Hempstead on Saturday, Dec. 21 and Sunday, Dec. 22 with performances each day at noon and 5 p.m.
The children, students at the Ohman School of Ballet in Commack, perform multiple roles in the iconic holiday story ballet including children in the Party Scene, Toy Soldiers and Mice in the Battle Scene, Snowflakes, Angels, and various confections in the Land of Sweets.
Amari Bhalla, a seventh grader at Commack Middle School, and Amelia Novellino, a seventh grader at St. Patrick’s School in Smithtown, share the central role of “Clara” in two of the four shows. Anna Clemente and Alyssa Tavares, both sixth graders at Commack Middle School, share the pivotal role of Clara’s brother “Fritz,” who breaks Clara’s Nutcracker and sets the plot in motion, each performing in two of the four shows.
This year’s cast includes additional young dancers from the area as follows: Devyn Cleary, Claire DeVaney, Anna Gross, Isabel Gross, Sofia Gross, Marilyn Ihasz, Isabella Song, Nina Van Zandt, and Irene Vartholomeos of Commack; Priya Chan, Esther Cheong, Charlotte Cho, Vivian Cho, Isabella Fusaro, Mikaela Gluck, Aviva Hellman, Galina Hellman, Emily Kayen, Ariel Kerley, Hannah Litz, Elizabeth Pau, Adrianna Stucchio, and Oliva Telis of Dix Hills; Kaia Abdulkhalek and Valentina Linardic of East Northport; Angelina Zhang of East Setauket; Seraphina Moger of Greenlawn; Sarah Shao and Chuyu Li of Huntington; Leandra Guzman, Luke Sinisgalli, and Cassie Winter of Lake Grove; Mary Calefato of Nesconset; Penelope Moloney and Henley Nemeth of Northport; Laila DarConte, Giulia Katz, Samara Kolodny, Evelyn McCaughey, Juliette Struss, and Reagan Towler of Smithtown; and Emma Barry and Sonya Russo of St. James.
NYDT founder Frank Ohman (1939-2019), a former student and soloist under George Balanchine who lived in Centerport, set his staging after his mentor’s iconic Lincoln Center version, and the production includes the original Sugarplum Fairy Pas de Deux from George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker ® by permission of the George Balanchine Trust as well as costumes and props gifted by Mr. Balanchine.
With the elegant Christmas Party Scene, the drama of the magical growing Christmas Tree, the Battle of the Toy Soldiers and Giant Mice, the live snowstorm, and the brilliant dancing in the Land of the Sweets, The Nutcracker appeals to all ages. In all, a cast of 80 children, pre-professional and professional dancers will bring this classic story ballet to life on stage.
A semi-immersive pre-show experience returns to the theater this year that invites audience members into the Silberhaus home before the curtain rises, with the sights, smells and sounds of the Christmas Eve party that is the setting for the ballet.
Tickets range from $33 to $50, including discounts for seniors and children 12 and under. Add a photo with the cast for $5.50. To order, visit www.NYDanceTheatre.org or call 631-462-0964.
