‘Nutcracker’ gets some new twists

The move to Stambaugh Auditorium this year hasn’t been without its challenges.

By JOHN BENSON

vindicator correspondent

YOUNGSTOWN — When Richard Dickinson took over as artistic director of Ballet Western Reserve, the California native knew he wanted to establish an annual holiday production.

However, the local company, which is nearly 50 years old, is taking small steps with its version of the classic “The Nutcracker,” with two shows Saturday at Stambaugh Auditorium.

“This is the second year in a row we’ve done ‘The Nutcracker,’” said Dickinson, who spent 12 years as a member of Akron’s Ohio Ballet. “We did it at Powers Auditorium last year, but it won’t be an annual event because next year we’ll do something else. The reason why we’re doing it again ... it should be an annual event because in most cities it is, but we didn’t want to do overkill in this market. So we thought we’d do it for two years, not do it for a year and then see if there’s a demand in the community for it again.”

Dickinson said the move from Powers Auditorium to Stambaugh this year hasn’t been without its challenges. Most notably is the fact the set had to be retrofitted to accommodate the lower ceiling space at the new venue. The production crew also added more unique lights to pull off onstage snowing and even explosions.

Despite the changes, all of the elements of “The Nutcracker” are in place.

“If they have preconceived notions, I think we’ll hit that on the nose,” Dickinson said. “It will have everything a ‘Nutcracker’ should have with the growing tree, the big mice, the nutcracker prince and the sugarplum fairy in her tutu. All of the magic people think about in ‘The Nutcracker’ will be here.”

He added, “And I guess my version is unique. Usually Clara is played by a young girl, who is 10 or 12 years old. And I’m having it done by a girl who is 16 or 17 years old and is finding boys for the first time in her life. So she has to choose between a nutcracker, the dolls of her childhood, and a real person who is her almost-boyfriend-to-be. And then the magic starts because she tries to choose. So the fantasy is to have somebody you like become a real person.”

Ballet Western Reserve produces one major show a year, and Dickinson feels “The Nutcracker” is the perfect kickoff to the upcoming Christmas season.

“It’s definitely geared toward children and even dating couples wanting a fun evening out,” Dickinson said.

“It’ll be great for them because they’ll be there smiling and having fun. It’s a good holiday show if you want to get into the holiday spirit and start things going right before Thanksgiving.”