The Soraya at Northridge College presented Dorrance Dance: “The Nutcracker Suite,” as an ode to the Christmas season. Michele Dorrance and her collaborators are among the best tap dancers, “hoofers” in the country and this was their night to shine.
We were greeted by a live band set in front of a shimmering golden tinsel-like rain curtain. MC and excellent vocalist Aaron Marcellus along with back-up singers, Michelle Dorrance, Addi Loving, Melinda Sullivan and Claudia Rahardjanoto, started us off with a bang singing a medley of familiar Christmas tunes and getting us into the holiday spirit. Soon they were joined by various tappers who accentuated the music and eventually dominated the stage. These hoofers can dance and improvise with the best. Though the sound became muddy when the music/singers and the microphoned tap-board overlapped, it was still a delightfully friendly way to begin the evening.
Dorrance Dance: “Nutcracker Suite”- (L-R) Maddie Murphy, Warren Craft, Matthew Megawatt West – Photo by Luis Luque, Luque Photography.
Ending this segment with a jazz infused “Jingle Bells” the curtain rose to reveal a party in progress as the magnificent Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn’s arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite” underscored the action. The set by Peiyi Wong was bright and fun with a 60’s vibe and a quirky Mouse shaped pinata hanging above. From here following the loosely put together story became something of a puzzle. We did meet Clara, Gisele Silva and Drosselmeyer, Warren Craft as well as the Nutcracker, Veronica Simpson but the other stable of characters were unrecognizable. This did not prevent what we did see from being festive, energetic and tap focused but if you were not previously familiar with the story you would not have learned it from this iteration. Still there were passages of dance that thoroughly entertained including a nice soft-shoe to open, a Rat ballet that had interesting costumes and silly dancing, even if it was impossible to understand who was fighting whom and a Pinata moment that left you asking why.
Dorrance Dance: “Nutcracker Suite”- (L-R) Gisele Silva, Veronica Simpson – Photo by Luis Luque, Luque Photography.
When we moved from the party to the Land of Sweets the set morphed into a beautiful greeting card like cut-out that sat upstage with lovely flower clouds hanging above. Here we are meant to see Clara’s dream in which dancers from other realms come to entertain her. This, however, was a messy version of the original, one in which it was not always clear who was who or what exactly they represented. Still as always, some moments stood out. The sand-dance that became the “Snow Passage” was a nice moment and the entrance of Mother Ginger always gets a laugh when her enormous skirt opens to reveal the dancers (normally children) inside and watch them scurry onto the stage for an up-tempo frolic. The overall highlight though, would be the “Danseurs of the Floreadores.” Wearing enormous flower headdresses while dressed as green stems this parade of dancers is charmingly lovely in every way. The whimsical costume designs were by Andrew Jordan. Finally, a moment of true nostalgia was sweetly embraced as all the characters make their way around and across the stage in silhouette, reminding us of times gone by.
Dorrance Dance: “Nutcracker Suite”- (L-R) Sydney Burtis, Sterling Harris, Gisele Silva, Asha Griffith, Leonardo Sandoval – Photo by Luis Luque, Luque Photography.
Unfortunately, these highlights were interspersed with unfocused storytelling and extraneous passages. While all the tapping was very well executed the high points were the improvised solos where the performer could really go to town and regal us with amazing syncopated footwork and rhythmic perfection.
Dorrance Dance: “Nutcracker Suite”- (L-R) Asha Griffith, Claudia Rahardjanoto, Sterling Harris – Photo by Luis Luque, Luque Photography.
Overall, this was a show that could use some judicious editing and needs a deft hand in telling the story in order to bring it to another level. However, it still has much to offer and it is particularly appropriate for families with children. Thanks to Artistic Director, Thor Steingraber, for once again bringing interesting and family friendly work to the Soraya.
This “Nutcracker” was directed and choreographed by Michelle Dorrance and Josette Wiggan with gorgeous lighting design by Kathy Kaufmann and expert sound design by Christopher Marc.
Dorrance Dance: “Nutcracker Suite”- (L-R) Hannah Heller, Veronica Simpson, Warren Craft – Photo by Luis Luque, Luque Photography.
The hard-working cast members not mentioned above were; Josette Wiggan, Jabu Graybeal, Luke Hickey, Hannah Heller, Sydney Burtis, Sterling Harris, Rena Kinoshita, Addi Loving, Leonardo Sandoval and “Bboys,” Ephrat “Bounce” Asherie, Zakhele “Bboy Swazi” and Matthew “Megawatt” West.
The opening band members were Warren Craft on drums, Craig Brockman on piano and Gregory Richardson on Bass.
For more information about Dorrance Dance, please visit their website.
For more information about The Soraya, please visit their website
Written by Tam Warner for LA Dance Chronicle.
Featured image: Dorrance Dance: “Nutcracker Suite” – Photo by Luis Luque, Luque Photography.
