Events

Le Casse-noix Moderne: The Tale of the Nutcracker

Created by Linze Rickles McRae (See other events)
  • Dec 18, 2010 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm
  • Location: Wallace Hall Fine Arts Center --- Gadsden, Alabama
  • Latest Activity: Oct 22, 2020
In 2008, EYO Music Director and composer and arranger Mike Gagliardo and DDC Artistic Director and choreographer Linze Rickles McRae began talking about collaborating for a performance of “The Nutcracker” with the Etowah Youth Orchestras and the Downtown Dance Conservatory. However, Gagliardo and McRae agreed on one thing – that this version of the famous holiday classic should be like no other. At first the talk was of a “rock and roll Nutcracker,” in the style of the music of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. However, the project soon morphed into something bigger – a new take on the show that would encompass every form of music from the 1920’s to the present time.Gagliardo and McRae selected a representative portion of the music from the original work, maintaining the integrity of the original show while creating a production that would be both audience- and performer-friendly. From there, each selection became a different style. “Trepak” turned into a hard-swinging big band number, a la Buddy Rich. “Sugar Plum Fairy” became a soulful ballad straight out of Memphis and Stax Records. The Overture turned into straight-ahead rock and roll. “Mirlitons” tuned into western swing. Take all of these and add traditional classical ballet and contemporary dance and just like that, “Le Casse-noix Moderne” is born – a retrospective of modern music and classical ballet, with all of the magic and familiarity of the timeless holiday classic!Not only will new and exciting compositions be heard, audiences will also experience an entirely new staging to the traditional version of “The Nutcracker.” With an all female cast, McRae restaged, rescripted, and rechoreographed many elements of the storyline to add new twists and turns at every corner.The production is scheduled to be performed at the legendary Roseland Ballroom in New York City for a holiday performance in December 2011, but will premiere in Gadsden for performances this December. The premiere performances of “Le Casse-noix Moderne” will be held at Wallace Hall on the campus of Gadsden State Community College on Saturday, December 18th, at 7 PM, and on Sunday, December 19th, at 2 PM. The performances will feature 57 students selected from the Conservatory, including the main roles danced by the members of the Downtown Dance Artists, performing to the music of the Etowah Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Etowah Symphonic Wind Ensemble. Tickets will be available at the Center For Cultural Arts’ front desk and online at www.wallacehall.org beginning on November 1.
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