The first Snowfall

The season has officially begun at New York City Ballet. The theater felt especially electric (and full) tonight (Nov. 28). The kids in this production are so moving—the seriousness with which they take charge of their roles in the ballet, their confidence, their capableness. Dessa Lynn Tufts was a particularly good Marie; during the battle scene, despite everything going on, my eye kept going back to her, as she reacted, commanded, hid, encouraged. She was completely engaged in the story. The moment in which the Nutcracker Prince (Hannon Hatchett) suddenly transformed into a little boy in a pink suit felt as magical, and stirring, as ever. Right after that, he leads Marie into the mystery of the forest to some of Tchaikovsky’s most wondrous music—a moment brimming with emotion. People falsely think this is a light ballet, but it’s actually filled with all the fear and wonder of childhood. Then comes Act II, the divertissement, tongue in cheek, playful. It goes by in a flash. Alexa Maxwell was a wonderfully sultry—and musical—Coffee. And the Flower Waltz was danced with great swing by a cast of tall flowers, led by Naomi Corti and Ruby Lister. I’ll confess I was a little skeptical about Isabelle LaFreniere’s Dewdrop going in; it felt against type. But her dancing had such scale, such ballerina authority and such power, I surrendered to it with her first whooshing entrance. LaFreniere brought maximum excitement to the role. I always wish The Nutcracker were just a little bit longer; it’s a wonderful world to be in.