In its new and original take on The Nutcracker, Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Zoom performances of the seasonal classic feature some of its most talented dancers participating virtually from home complete with more live nutcracking on nearby home furniture than ever before.
“These performers not only perfectly execute their choreography from their living rooms — they seamlessly coordinate this virtual production even while all male dancers are literally nutcracking live on every hip-level piece of furniture in sight,” said Seattle Times arts critic Meg Hayes in a glowing review. “Expectations were low this year because of the pandemic, but I have to say it’s amazing how easy it was to get the whole family into watching The Nutcracker together this year.”
In an astounding commitment to the play’s stunning choreography, Hayes said she counted about 8 almost show-stopping run-ins with a side table for Uncle Drosselmeyer, about 10 run-ins with the arm of a Bauhaus couch for the Nutcracker prince and, to her children’s delight, 16 run-ins with a craft table for the Mouse King.
“True performers knows that whether you’re nine months into a pandemic or your balls might literally be split open, the show must go on,” Hayes said.
While her review mostly complemented the endurance of the performance’s male dancers, she also gave a nod to the colorful peacock whose dance continued undeterred despite a toe slamming into a coffee table leg and tail that knocked over a bookcase.
