After a long day studying for finals in Central Library on Dec. 7, a three-hour break to watch Vanderbilt Ballet Theater’s production of “The Nutcracker” was exactly what I needed. The beautiful blend of live classical music, stunning costumes and elegant storytelling on stage soothed my mind and got me excited for the holiday season.
Ballerina or not, “The Nutcracker” is a heart-warming story that captures the magic of Christmas for audiences of all ages. It follows the story of Clara, played by sophomore Hazel Ludwig who receives a nutcracker as a gift at a festive holiday party. When she falls asleep beneath the Christmas tree, her home is transformed into a battleground between the Nutcracker and the Rat King. After the Nutcracker defeats the Rat King, she is led by the Snow Queen to a celebration in the Land of Sweets. She is welcomed by the Sugar Plum Fairy, portrayed by junior Sophia Kainz, and sweets from across the world.
As a former ballerina, the imaginative, magical production transported me back to my childhood, evoking memories of anxiously waiting backstage as the opening notes of Tchaikovsky’s score played. The overture, performed by 26 talented Blair students, calmly silenced the crowd and set a jolly mood as the curtain uncovered a blue backdrop with a Christmas tree at the center of the stage.
Senior Ainsley Gill, playing the maid, pranced across the stage, putting the final touches in place before the party guests arrived. As the guests entered — children in vibrant red dresses and fathers in stylish suits — their impeccable acting made it easy to forget they were college students. For example, senior Marius Schueller, as Clara’s mischievous younger brother Fritz, brought humor and energy to the performance with his lively, childlike demeanor. Every detail in this party scene was meticulously crafted, from the maid using an old-fashioned camera to capture a family photo to Clara’s godfather’s dramatic unveiling of the Nutcracker doll. Each element worked seamlessly to immerse the audience in the festive holiday atmosphere.
VBT’s use of props went beyond just Clara’s new toy. When Clara fell asleep under the Christmas tree, five rats popped out when the clock struck midnight, with cheese being thrown across the stage. The galvanizing battle between the Rat King, the Nutcracker and their respective soldiers finished with Clara’s slipper defeating the King. The Snow Queen, portrayed by junior Lily Hofstetter, her Demis and her snowflakes celebrated her and the Nutcracker’s victory. Just when the audience thought the scene couldn’t become more enchanting, delicate cotton flakes began to float gracefully down from the stage, transforming the set into a snowy winter wonderland and closing Act One on a magical note.
Although Act Two lacked the Blair Orchestra’s artistry, the seamless transition to recorded music ensured a cohesive performance. As the curtain arose, the audience was greeted by a mesmerizing, never-before-seen backdrop of the Land of Sweets, adding to the magic of the ballet. Clara was greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy, played by VBT president Sophia Kainz, and her assembly of sweets. This being her third year in VBT, Kainz reflected on her experience.
“Ever since I first watched The Nutcracker, performing as the Sugar Plum Fairy has been a dream of mine. Taking on this role and witnessing the growth of Vandy Ballet’s Nutcracker has been incredibly fulfilling, making this my favorite Nutcracker experience yet,” Kainz said in a message to The Hustler.
The candy palace celebrations continued, with chocolates, tea, coffee, marzipan and ribbon candy that paraded around Clara and the Nutcracker. Despite a music malfunction during the coffee duet that caused the tea music to play instead, the dancers behaved professionally and impressively executed difficult lifts with unbelievable flexibility. The ribbon candy’s real ribbons brought a pop of color and excitement to the crowd. But what perhaps received the most applause and enthusiasm from the Vanderbilt audience was the special appearance of 10 young ballerinas from a local dance studio, Ridley’s School of Dance. Their part as Bon Bon candies not only sweetened Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy’s festivities but also added to VBT dancers’ show experience.
“It was extra special this year to get to dance on stage with 10 precious little ballerinas,” VBT artistic director Hadley Williamson said. “I was about their age when I discovered the joy of dancing on stage and getting to witness them experience this joy is an unforgettable feeling. They danced so beautifully and were truly the stars of the show.”
“The Nutcracker” has always held a special place in people’s hearts, whether it’s recognizing Tchaikovsky’s iconic trumpets during the party scene, attending an annual production or performing in childhood shows. Vanderbilt Ballet Theater weaves together this nostalgia, imagination and a touch of surprise to make the Vanderbilt community feel a little more at home as they anticipate the holiday season.
