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Dance Theatre of Tennessee’s production of the Nutcracker continued new holiday tradition for Clarksville

Dance Theatre of TennesseeClarksville, TN – The Dance Theatre of Tennessee (DTT) in conjunction with the Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund presented a tour of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker ballet.

The tour visited Nashville, Smyrna, Murfreesboro,  Smithville, and Clarksville. They were originally scheduled  to perform the show in Clarksville on December 7th, but inclement weather  forced the production to reschedule for December 20th.  Even so on December 20th, Austin Peay State University’s Clement Auditorium was packed with families heavy on the young girls who were there to enjoy the artistic spectacular.

The Snow Queen with her Consort
The Snow Queen with her Consort

The production featured three complete casts which alternated throughout the tour and so I am not crediting specific cast members; as I am not sure which ones performed in Clarksville, and there are too many to list individually.

The costumes and sets were exquisite,  the dancing was amazing, and the production fit into a seamless whole that kept the viewer entranced throughout the performance.

The Dance Theatre of Tennessee is directed by Christopher Mohnani who had this to say about the  production. “Truly the holidays would not be complete without the  story in music of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. It’s been
such a staple that it certainly is impossible to be  anywhere around this time without a rendering of some  parts of the Nutcracker whether the ballet, the  music or story of this obvious holiday classic.”

He went into more detail.

Members of the Company
Members of the Company

As with every year, Dance Theatre of Tennessee is presenting the earliest Nutcracker performance series around the country. Call us crazy but we seem to just enjoy doing this production. I have always loved the Nutcracker.

As a performer who has been in several productions of the Baile so many times, I always look forward to this time a year and I can never get tired of it. The main reason why always loved the Nutcracker is
because it reminds me of family and traditions. The holidays allows us to enjoy each other’s company and bask on all of the love you have received given throughout the year.

It always gives me a feeling and sense of belonging and seems to tell me that even if my family is halfway around the world, I simply feel and remember them more around this time year.

This production has certainly been a labor of love and one that is possible because of the wonderful work of so many people – from my youngest youth cast members to our fantastic company artists, or hard-
working production team, self-less volunteers, and our generous sponsors and supporters.

As we embark on another touring series of our production of the Nutcracker, we hope to be up to continue a wonderful and beautiful tradition.

I can’t think of a better way to spread our mission of bringing dance and ballet to the people by presenting different cities across Middle Tennessee with the new holiday tradition and a production that
they can call their own!

We’re also excited that we have the “Mutt-Cracker” to our yearly presentation, part of Dance theater of Tennessee’s efforts in helping our canine friends find a forever home this holiday season. We hope that
when you see these adorable four-related performance across the stage you will feel the spirit of the holidays even more.

We also hope that as you enjoyed the performance you got the same feeling that I always get during the Nutcracker season! I want to thank all of you for joining us and I hope that the love from our company
artists, youth cast participants, staff, volunteers, and supporters made this a very special Christmas holidays for you!

Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan joined Christopher Mohnani onstage to welcome the audience to the production!

This production of the Nutcracker was made possible by Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund; Bridgestone Americas, Inc. Consumer Marketing Department; in-Rel Properties; Metro Nashville Arts Commission; Tennessee Arts Commission; Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation; Center for Nonprofit Management; Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee; the Frist Foundation; and the Memorial Foundation. As well as the sport of many others.

Clarksville online was proud to be listed as one of the media partners for this event!

Nutcracker synopsis

The party

Drosselmeyer with the Nutcracker
Drosselmeyer with the Nutcracker

The air is crisp and excitement builds the street as people hurry home, the arms filled with brightly wrapped packages. It is Christmas eve, the most magical night of the year, and treasures from toy stores, sweet Shoppes and bakeries await their discovery beneath shimmering evergreen trees.

As twilight falls, we find yourself at the home of the Stahlbaums, who are hosting their annual Christmas party.

The children Clara and Fritz, prepare and anxiously await the arrival of the family and friends. They admire the glistening trees delicate branches decorator bonbons, gingerbread and sparkling flowers made of sugar they can’t wait for the party and dancing to begin!

Suddenly the room grow dark! The children’s grandfather Drosselmeyer arrives mysteriously.

One of the dancing toys entertaining the party members
One of the dancing toys entertaining the party members

A skilled toymaker, he is full of marvelous and clever surprises. He entertains the guests with his life-size dolls each taking the turn the dance. They are the delight of the party! Herr Drosselmeyer has come bearing gifts. The girls received beautiful porcelain dolls and the boys shining brass horns. Always a work of art, his gifts for Clara and Fritz are very special this year. Fritz is given a hand-painted drum and Clara a magnificent Nutcracker with the jacket of gold!  Clara loves him at first sight! Soon, Fritz becomes jealous and grabs Nutcracker from Clara tossing about and breaking it. Claire is heartbroken looking upon as Drosselmeyer quickly repairs the Nutcracker with a handkerchief he magically draws from the air.

As the evening grows late, the guests depart and the Stahlbaum family retires from the evening.

Claire worries about her beloved Nutcracker in sneaks back to the tree to check on him. She falls asleep cradling him in her arms.

The battle

The Battle
The Battle

As the clock strikes midnight Clara awakens and strange things begin to happen! The Stahlbaums’ beautiful Christmas tree cast shadows on the floor begins to grow high above her! Feeling very small,
she hears the sound discovering the as room fills with an army of mice, led by the fierce mouse King!

They taunt Clara and try to steal her Nutcracker. The Nutcracker awakens from his deep sleep and leads his army of toy soldiers into battle with the mice.

The mouse King corners the Nutcracker in battles him one-on-one. He seems to be no match for the Mouse King. Unable to go on any longer, the Nutcracker and his army are captured by the mice and their King.

Clara dancing with some of the toy soldiers
Clara dancing with some of the toy soldiers

Clara collects her courage and makes a final during charge storing the slipper at the mouse King, hitting him square on the head. The Mouse King drops dead to the floor forcing the mice to run away, carrying off their leaders lifeless body.

Remarkably, the Nutcracker turns into a handsome prince and escorts Clara to the land of snow, an enchanted forest wonderland where they are welcomed by dancing snowflakes, the exquisite Snow Queen and her consort.

Act II

The Land of Sweets

The Prince leads Clara past whipped cream mountains to the sumptuous land of sweets weather greeted by the Dew Drop fairy who introduces them to the beautiful Sugar Plum fairy.

The Sugar Plum Fairy
The Sugar Plum Fairy

The Prince and Clara tell the tale of the daring battle with the Army of mice. Sugar Plum and her court are impressed by their bravery. They comfort and welcome them with a Festival of sweets from many
lands.

 Mandarin tea spins
Mandarin tea spins

Clara enjoys course after course of delicious delicacies. Hot cocoa dances the Spanish fandango. Mandarin tea spins, and Arabian coffee sways to the sound of exotic music of their homelands. Mother Ginger with her sweet bonbons and the daring Marzipan sheep make Clara giggle. Russian soldiers perform incredible leaps, the beautiful dewdrop fairy leads her flowers and shining waltz and the sugarplum fairy dances a magnificent Pas De Duex with the Prince.

As a story ends we find Clara sleeping beside her beloved Nutcracker.

An impossible dream? Perhaps… But then incredible things happen to those who opens their hearts to the magic of their imagination!

Photo Gallery

About the Dance Theatre of Tennessee

Dance Theatre of TennesseeThe Dance Theatre of Tennessee was born out of a desire to bring the beauty of dance in the magic of ballet to the people. They are the inspiration a principal dancer and artistic director Christopher Mohnani, Dance Theatre of Tennessee is slowly charging its – among the many active in engaging performing arts organizations in Nashville.

With the goal of exposing new audiences through out middle Tennessee to the excitement of live dance theater, DTT travels the area creating affordable, and accessible entertainment while maintaining unrivaled artistry.

Hosting the Academy at Dance Theatre of Tennessee in its facilities allows DTT to offer outstanding instructors with unrivaled credentials offering the highest level of training and programs and numerous styles and levels to suit pre-professional recreational and adult students.

And it’s very young history, dance Theatre of Tennessee has reached thousands through its numerous professional performances and community outreach programs. Is partnered with fellow arts organizations and assisted other non-profits through its free performances. Dance Theatre of Tennessee has hosted principal artists from around the globe and through grants and private donations highly esteemed choreographers and Répétiteurs, setting timeless classics and cutting-edge work showcasing its level of artistry in the death the talent to the community.

Bill Larson
Bill Larson
Bill Larson is  is politically and socially active in the community. Bill is a member of the Friends of Dunbar Cave. You can reach him via telephone at 931-249-0043 or via the email address below.
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