by Elizabeth Gariti
The Yorkville Nutcracker is all about the Upper East Side. Set in 1895 at Gracie Mansion, it changes the original story’s well-known characters--Clara/Marie, Fritz, the Stahlbaums and Godfather Herr Drosselmeier--into New York City luminaries of the day. 
The Babcocks are hosting a Christmas party for Mayor Strong in honor of his children Mary (Clara/Marie) and her brother, Putnam Bradlee (Fritz) at their country home, Gracie Mansion. Their guests include the families and children of international diplomats: Mr. Baldasano of Spain, the Pratts of Persia, Mrs. Gravenhorst from the Netherlands and Mrs. Havemayer of Austria-Hungary. The Godfather is “Uncle” Noah Wheaton, and the Nutcracker looks a lot like Yellowstone Kelly, explorer and Civil War hero. Even Police Commissioner Teddy Roosevelt appears, disguised as a “Teddy” Bear.
“Every one of these characters lived at one time–they’re all real,” says Francis Patrelle, choreographer and Artistic Director of Dances Patrelle. “The school where I teach, Ballet Academy East, is at 92nd & 3rd, so I decided to set the piece in Yorkville.”
The Yorkville Nutcracker offers all the standard conventions that Nutcracker audiences love: the growing Christmas tree, battling mice, Mrs. Ginger and the Sugar Plum Fairy, but, Patrelle’s distinctive enhancements--depicted through stage business, simple choreography and an additional character--run throughout, making the characters and story more real and accessible. A Maid is added to the set of family characters. Reminiscent of “Nana”, the dog-nurse in Peter Pan, she supervises and protects the children, sometimes coming in conflict with the parents to do so. As the intermediary between the children and the adults, this role adds a tender touch that both the children and adults in the audience can relate to.
The children’s choreography is based on childhood movement and games, like Leapfrog. It’s simple and clear and honed to the abilities of the student dancers playing the roles. Their interaction with each other also adds to the effect. Rebecca Tobaly as “Mary” is especially believable when she expresses joy in the others’ gifts and sadness in not receiving hers.
Many of the children cast in The Yorkville Nutcracker are from the Upper East Side as well. Students from Ballet Academy East have graced the stage throughout The Yorkville Nutcracker’s 11-year history. Some who began as party-goers have gone on to perform principle roles.
The biggest discernible difference between The Yorkville Nutcracker and other Nutcrackers is the scene at the end of Act I. Normally, this is the Snowflake scene, where Clara/Mary and her Prince (in this case, her brother and protector, Putnam Bradlee) are transported to a blizzard of dancing snowflakes. In this production, reindeers pull the children’s sleigh to Central Park where the Snow King and Queen perform a pas de deux with a group of skaters skating on the pond in front of the Dakota building. This is a magical scene, and “the inspiration for the whole piece,” according to Patrelle, where the whole ballet comes together. It’s a misty night. The skaters, in black corsets and purple and black tulle, skate/dance with their hands in muffs gliding and gleaming over the stage as the snow begins to fall. . .`
Patrelle Dances was founded in 1988 as an outlet for Patrelle’s choreography. The Yorkville Nutcracker’s a fine example of Patrelle’s range. He keeps it simple when it needs to be simple, as with the children and party scenes, yet pulls out the choreographic stops where he can–with the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Snow King and Queen, Dew Drop and her corps, the Dancing Bouquet. He borrows from New York City’s prolific dance community–the roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier were danced by New York City Ballet principals Jennifer Ringer and Stephen Hanna. Also, the more advanced students get a chance to show off their excellent training and technique as Katie Kim and corps do in their roles of Dew Drop and the Dancing Bouquet. Their performances are light, joyous and delicate. The Spanish Divertissement is Cecchetti with a twist, and the Persian dance is sinewy and exotic.
Scenes from “Olde New York” are portrayed with a simple but ingenious use of scrims and backdrops, taking us effortlessly from Gracie Mansion to Central Park to the Ice Castle in the New York Botanical Gardens.
Fraught with whimsical nostalgia, The Nutcracker is a holiday tradition for many New Yorkers, but The Yorkville Nutcracker makes it a neighborhood event.
For more information visit the Dances Patrelle website or Ballet Academy East website.