Wintry snow scene brings the magic to the seasonal classic ballet ‘Nutcracker’

For decades, writers have been speculating about the extraordinary popularity of “The Nutcracker,” the ballet that’s become a holiday tradition, beloved even by people who wouldn’t dream of seeing any other ballet.

It’s the holiday spirit, some say. The tree. The adorable local children (some that are our neighbors or children’s classmates) dancing the roles of mice and party guests.

All good thoughts. And there’s something else: the snow.

On-stage snow can be particularly enchanting. It has all of the charm and none of the shoveling, and both Ballet Northwest’s and Studio West Dance Theatre’s productions — opening this weekend — feature falling snow and dancing snowflakes.

Ken Johnson of Ballet Northwest and Stephanie Wood-Ennett of Studio West share an appreciation for the fluffy white stuff (or at least its theatrical facsimiles) and the magical quality it brings to the classic story about a young girl who finds herself on a strange nighttime adventure to fairy-tale realms.

“My favorite moment is the transition from the fight scene to the snow scene, when the land of the snow is revealed,” Johnson told The Olympian. “It’s a very dramatic reveal with the new sets and special effects.”

Jill Carter of Olympia redesigned Ballet Northwest’s sets in 2016 and 2017.

After the fight scene, the Nutcracker Prince (this year played by Bina Anvari, 16, a junior at Olympia High School) and Clara (a role shared by Jolie Alonso, 15 and a sophomore at Tumwater High, and Zara Yokoyama, 15, a sophomore at Olympia High) dance at the front of the stage in front of a billowy curtain painted with a moonlit snow scene.

When the pas de deux ends, the curtain rises swiftly to reveal the Land of the Snow, where plastic snow — chosen because it’s flame retardant — sets a holiday mood.

Snow also is king at Studio West Dance Theatre. “The snow scene is probably our most captivating,” Wood-Ennett told The Olympian.

“The music is beautiful,” she said. “A lot of people I talk to say it makes them teary-eyed when they hear the music and see the choreography, and then you have the snow falling.

“It’s peaceful and powerful at the same time.”

The snow in the Studio West production is made from paper, and as at Ballet Northwest, it falls from bags above the stage.

“The snow is choreographed to the music,” Wood-Ennett said, falling sometimes lightly and sometimes in a blizzard.

The lighting is another key to the scene’s magic, she said, crediting Scott Leathers, resident lighting designer at Nashville Ballet.

“The way he illuminates the stage makes it feel like it’s really snowing,” she said.

Ballet Northwest’s ‘Nutcracker’

• What: It’s year 35 for the company’s production of Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic.
• Guest artists: The Cavalier is danced by Lucas Horns of Ballet West in Salt Lake City and Sanford Placide, formerly of Dance Theatre of Harlem in New York.
• Featured dancers: Elina Brein, 18, who studies at home in Chehalis, and Nina Ivanenko, 15 and a sophomore at River Ridge High School in Lacey, share the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Bina Anvari, 16 and a junior at Olympia High School, dances the role of the Nutcracker Prince. Playing Clara are Jolie Alonso, 15 and a sophomore at Tumwater High School, and Zara Yokoyama, 15 and a sophomore at Olympia.
• When: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 22
• Where: The Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia
• Tickets: $14-$35
• More information: 360-753-8586, washingtoncenter.org

Studio West Dance Theatre’s ‘Nutcracker’

• What: Studio West’s 11th annual ‘Nutcracker’ begins its magic in the lobby, decorated with oversized set pieces from the production.
• Guest artists: Sharing the role of Cavalier are Ryan Nicolas of Ballet Memphis and Joshua Grant, who also dances the role with Pacific Northwest Ballet.
• Featured dancers: Dancing the Sugar Plum Fairy are Alexandra Bun, 16, a sophomore at Tumwater High School, and Olivia Kline, 17 and a senior at Olympia High School. The Nutcracker Prince is Reese Bergeson, 16, a sophomore at Capital High School, and the role of Clara is shared by Sophie Dalrymple, 15, who studies at home in Chehalis, and Lily Halvorson, 16 and a sophomore at Capital High School.
• When: 7 p.m. Dec. 14, 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 15, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 16, 7 p.m. Dec. 20, 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 21 and 1 p.m. Dec. 22
• Where: The Minnaert Center for the Arts at South Puget Sound Community College, 2011 Mottman Road SW, Olympia
• Tickets: $17-$27, with half-price youth tickets available for the Dec. 16 show
• More information: 360-753-8586, washingtoncenter.org
• Clara’s Nutcracker Parties: The pre-matinee parties, for ages 3 and older, include a craft, story time and a chance to meet some of the dancers. They’ll be held at noon Dec. 15, 1 p.m. Dec. 21 and noon Dec. 22. Tickets are $14.

This story was originally published December 12, 2019 at 6:00 AM.