On Saturday, Dec. 6, I braved the below-freezing weather, trekking from North Campus to the Schwartz to watch the Cornell Ballet Club’s performance of The Nutcracker — a worthy way of procrastinating writing my three final papers, if I do say so myself. The Nutcracker was my second CBC production, and I was absolutely thrilled to be watching these dancers perform again. I knew from Swan Lake last year that I was in for an awe-inspiring display that would have me listening to Tchaikovsky on the walk back to my dorm (which, thankfully, can no longer affect my Spotify wrapped).
The ballet opened with Clara, her family and friends celebrating at a festive holiday party that was interrupted by the arrival of two dancing dolls. I found the dancers’ portrayal of the dolls extremely impressive; they balanced the usual fluidity of ballet with stiff, mechanical, doll-like precision, turning into perfectly-believable toys. As the party scene wound down and Clara laid down to sleep alongside her newly-received nutcracker, the dimming lights indicated that the real magic was about to begin.
Next came a succession of utterly transfixing performances, each dancer contributing to the veritable buffet of enchantment. Alongside Clara, I was swept into this miraculous wonderland, away from impending exams and depressing weather, the willing audience of each confection. Each and every role was perfectly embodied, and they all brought something new and exciting. The Snow Queen and her Snowflakes brought the fluttering motion of fresh-falling snow to the stage, white costumes angelic under the lights. The ballerinas portraying Tea incorporated a fun, new element with the decorative blue fans they held while dancing, flipping them open to wow the audience. Those who were Chocolate were lively and fierce, epitomizing the strength of the music they danced to. The Candy Canes were delightful, the red and white of their costumes eye-catching, all three ballerinas personifying the sweet candy through long, flowing lines.
While the entire show was commendable, and I could write extensively about each detail and dancer, there were a few moments that stood out. In particular, Coffee was exquisite. I don’t think my eyes left her once as she danced — every accent struck, every line smooth. The soft jingling of her gold jewelry added to the hypnotic effect, emphasizing her movements with their charming noise. Another favorite of mine was Dewdrop, leading a company of pale pink-clad Flowers through their lovely dance. I was struck by her elegance, the way she made everything look completely effortless even as she made a show of physical strength en pointe. The Waltz of the Flowers was a highlight of the ballet; the troupe of Flowers filled the stage with beauty while Dewdrop led with unmatched majesty. Finally, the sparkliest of them all, the Sugar Plum Fairy was another breathtaking role, flawlessly executed.
And what review of The Nutcracker would be complete without mention of its leading lady? Kylie Miller ’26 was an absolutely phenomenal Clara. All but floating through each variation, Miller’s dancing was light and airy as a breeze and had all of its easy grace. She sold the role, her movements and expression both full of wonder and inspiring it. Throughout the ballet, Clara danced alongside the titular Nutcracker or Cavalier, portrayed masterfully by Alec DiConza ’29. Together, the pair moved in perfect complement to each other, grace and grandeur, softness and strength. DiConza mentioned of the pas de deux: “We worked really hard on crafting the choreography in a way that best showcases our abilities, and I believe it came out really nicely.” I’m inclined to agree; the lifts were insanely impressive, and they danced in harmony throughout.
There’s something intangible about watching talented people perform; the very air is inundated with passion and dedication, and the music and movement bypass eyes and ears and spear directly to the soul. I was amazed by the impressive athleticism each dancer displayed, strength and agility embodied through grace and fluidity. Nothing says the holiday season like The Nutcracker, and I’m glad that CBC put on such a dazzling show. My dreams, like Clara’s, are sure to be full of softly-glittering costumes under stage lights, tulle skirts twirling weightlessly and the pattering of ballet shoes in perfect synchronization.
Melissa Moon is a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences. She can be reached at mmoon@cornellsun.com.
Melissa Moon is a member of the Class of 2028 in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is an Assistant Arts & Culture Editor on the 143rd Editorial Board. She can be reached at mmoon@cornellsun.com.
