David Parker/The Bang Group's Nut/Cracked at DTW, and Doug Elkins' Fraulein Maria at Joe's Pub.
http://www.thirteen.org/sundayarts/blog/ballet/tis-the-season-to-be-nutty/782/
In what is hopefully an annual tradition, David Parker and The Bang Group’s Nut/Cracked was paired with Doug Elkins’ send-up of The Sound of Music, Fräulein Maria, for a “holiday extravaganza” at DTW this month, ending this past weekend. Parker (who portrays Liesl in Elkins’ work) balances satire and reverence for Tchaikovsky’s classic, so prevalent in many versions around the city during this season. For sure no other version is as goofy and fun-spirited as Nut/Cracked, which is performed to a mix of jazzy contemporary interpretations of the score with more traditional orchestral versions.
Parker takes the opportunity to explore some technical experiments in the many sections of this dance, which doesn’t hew to the traditional Nutcracker story, instead underscoring various motifs. Tapping in toeshoes while lighting one’s own feet with a flashlight. Maneuvering through a knotty trio with plenty of near-miss kicks and leg tunnelling. The prolonging, and ultimately gratifying dance with a sheet (or a square foot) of bubble wrap. Figuring out how to partner yourself on pointe. There are also traditions, such as the ever-growing Christmas tree.
