The owners of American Theater Dance Workshop of New Hyde Park say they hope to change the way people experience the “Nutcracker” ballet.
“I think it can be done differently, said Jerome Vivona, who operates American Theater Dance with his wife Michelle. “We want to bridge the gap for a contemporary audience.”
Jerome and Vivona said they believe that “Cracked” – the workshop’s modern interpretation of “The Nutcracker,” which will be performed on Dec. 20 and 21 – will expand the ballet’s appeal
“We wanted to do something fun, exciting and new,” Jerome said. “This is something that can bring in a new generation of fans.”
The theater’s vision takes Clara, the main character of the original “Nutcracker,” and tells the story of her granddaughter traversing parts of Manhattan, Jerome said.
“Cracked” takes Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s original music score and blends it with “neo-classic” elements, Kristen McGrew, one of the theater’s dancers and teachers said.
“Working with Jerome and his concepts has been fantastic,” McGrew said.
The performance, to take place at Chaminade High School’s Darby Auditorium in Mineola, will consist of both the students at the theater and their teachers, who also dance professionally with the NOMAD Contemporary Ballet in New York City.
“We’re going to put on a very beautiful production,” Jerome said.
Jerome said he would constantly workshop with his 16-year-old daughter to make sure the piece worked for a modern audience.
“It passed the teenage test,” Jerome said.
The idea for “Cracked” started in March, Jerome said, but much of the work started about two months ago.
“The goal is to see this grow on Long Island and to change and adapt it every year” Jerome said. “I think people will really appreciate it.”
Tickets for “Cracked” can be purchased through the American Theater Dance Workshop’s website.
The American Theater Dance Workshop teachers classical ballet and contemporary Broadway choreography in classes in New Hyde Park aimed at preparing young and adult dancers to perform in the worlds of Ballet, Broadway Theater Dance and Musical Theater, according to its website.
