In the opening act, the audience was mesmerized by the party scene at the Tannenbaum's home. The party cast members, complete with two living dogs, managed to captivate audience members with colorful expressions and cutesy scenarios. Particularly remarkable was the well-acted sibling rivalry displayed between Clara and her young brother Fritz, portrayed by Samantha Cook and JD Wilmott-Hook, respectively. The living dolls delighted all, followed by an entertaining escapade of little dancing mice. Guest dancers Fernando Moraga and Mauricio Canete, portraying the Nutcracker and the Mouse King, wowed the audience with their amazing jumping abilities and thrilling sword fight scene.
Despite a slight delay due to a minor technical difficulty, the opening scene of Act 2 was highlighted by excellent choreography and stunning costuming. The dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, portrayed by Ashley Borchert, was beautifully executed, showcasing several sequences of pirouettes. A flock of tiny sheep stole the show as they gracefully danced circles around Clara to the delight of the audience. The Spanish and Chinese dances were especially entertaining, and obviously well-rehearsed. Courtney Albritton was a delightful Dew Drop Fairy, with perfectly-pointed feet and airy jumps. Perhaps most remarkable was the solo dance of the Russian, flawlessly danced by Mauricia Canete. Canete thrilled the audience with a series of gravity-defying toe touches and breathtaking pirouettes.
