‘Nutcracker’ returns to MCA for holiday

By Zach Dionne

Posted on Nov. 30, 2006, at 12:00 a.m.

“The Nutcracker” returns to the Maine Center for the Arts this weekend, and his friends in the Bangor Symphony Orchestra and Robinson Ballet are coming with him.

Peter Tchaikovsky’s 1891 composition has become synonymous with the holiday season as the foremost Christmas ballet. The Bangor Symphony Orchestra and Robinson Ballet have helped to further the holiday popularity of “The Nutcracker” in the community of the University of Maine, where they have performed the piece together since 1984.

“It has become a tradition for many families,” said Johnna Lacey, director of marketing and public relations at Bangor Symphony Orchestra. “[Families] who began attending years ago now bring their own children.”

For those who have not seen the full-scale production coordinated by the two accomplished groups, there is no time like the present. And although the enchanting ballet is an annual affair, there is also incentive – beyond the show’s high-caliber experience – for past viewers to return.

“Each year there is something new, whether it’s new choreography, scenery, whatever,” Lacey said. “This is the only ‘Nutcracker’ production in the area that offers live music with the dancing.” She stressed “the costumes, colors, and fun dance routines” as integral parts of that show that entertain both children and adults.

Many of this year’s new items come from the Robinson Ballet’s half of the collaboration. The three-year Color for Costumes campaign has concluded, allowing the group to “improve and update their end,” according to Julie Lisnet, managing director of Robinson Ballet. “We’ve been able to have new costumes built and also had heirloom costumes refurbished. We’ve been able to update the technical end of the production, including two new Christmas trees built by the University of Maine Engineering Department.”

A press release from the Ballet states that the two new trees, known as the “traveling Christmas tree” and the “MCA Christmas tree,” can extend to 16 and 18 feet in height, respectively. The trees were created, designed and constructed by two teams of students in UMaine’s engineering program. “They did a fantastic job and we appreciate their hard work [and] attention to detail,” Lisnet said.

“The Nutcracker” will once again feature Ian Robinson, son of the ballet company’s namesake family. Robinson, who danced with legendary ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov over the summer, will fly in from France for the production.

“Many of our musicians have been performing this production since it began 23 years ago,” Lacey said of the dedicated Bangor Symphony Orchestra. “But each year the musicians really look forward to it. Most have the score pretty much memorized. Interestingly, since they perform in the pit below the stage, many of these musicians have never even seen this production.”

“The Nutcracker” will be performed Saturday, Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. Tickets, ranging from $22 to $32, are still available and can be ordered through the box office section of http://www.bangorsymphony.com.

“It’s more than a show,” Lacey said. “It’s an event.”

An event with the potential to infuse some Christmas spice into even the rainiest and most snow-barren holiday season.

Campus Currents: Bangor Symphony Orchestra