Dancers describe ‘Nutcracker’ return as ‘very magical’
When Balletmet Academy student dancer Phoebe Congleton performs in “The Nutcracker,” she tries to avoid looking out into the audience.
After all, she’s playing a part on stage and she’s supposed to pretend there’s no one watching.
Yet during her first performance in the central role of Young Clara last Sunday in the Ohio Theatre, Congleton got a sense that she and her fellow dancers were appreciated.
“When I was having bows, one of my teachers screamed out, ‘Go Phoebe!’” said Congleton, the 12-year-old daughter of Matthew and Denise Congleton of London.
This was no ordinary performance: Last weekend, Congleton was among a cast that included 24 professional dancers and 90 student dancers who helped bring back Balletmet’s “The Nutcracker.” The classic holiday ballet, which kicked off Dec. 10 and will continue through Dec. 26, was not per
formed last year due to the pandemic.
“It’s so fun, because lots of people have (‘The Nutcracker’) as a yearly tradition,” Congleton said. “I just love being in front of a crowd.”
For Balletmet, large crowds have been in short supply during the pandemic: Until “The Nutcracker” kicked off last weekend, the company had not performed in the Ohio Theatre since midfebruary
2000, when a production of the “Alice in Wonderland”-inspired ballet “Alice” took place. A series of performances for small-scale audiences were held last summer in Balletmet’s black box theatre.
“It’s very magical being back in the Ohio Theatre,” said dancer Jessica Brown, 35. “The last time we were there was for ‘Alice,’ and then we had the pandemic, when we didn’t know when we were going to come back.”
Seeing the Ohio Theatre’s signature red crushed velvet seats had an impact on Brown.
“You see those seats again and you know that there are going to be audience members and laughter, hopefully, and clapping,” said Brown, who said she got teary-eyed during a rehearsal.
Dancer Rachael Parini expressed similar sentiments.
“It’s definitely exciting to be back,” said Parini, 33. “The energy is lovely. ‘Nutcracker’ is always one of the more magical ballets we do.”
On opening night, Dispatch reviewer Margaret Quamme reported that the Ohio Theatre was only about two-thirds full, but the dancers weren’t fazed by sparser crowds than normal.
“It is to be expected,” said Brown of the reduced audience numbers. “It’s still new, and people are coming back.”
Parini said the dancers were in the moment during the performance, but afterward, they recognized the enormity of the evening.
“I don’t think it hit us until the end of the show opening night,” she said. “There were a lot of confused tears, just because it was overwhelming performing for such a large audience again and feeling like we were truly back.”
By the time the first weekend of performances had concluded, Brown said, everything on stage had gelled.
“All the nerves were getting out,” she said.
With multiple performances yet to go, the dancers expect this year’s run of “Nutcracker” shows to end pretty much as any other: with a bit of exhaustion.
“It’s not so much that the excitement wears off, your body just starts to feel it,” Parini said of the physical demands of the show. “‘Nutcracker’ doesn’t cease to be hard on the body just because it’s fun to be back.”
Even so, it’s a milestone worth celebrating in the Greater Columbus arts community.
“Everyone can gather again with either friends or family,” Brown said. “(‘The Nutcracker’) is made for all — for children and adults.”
And Congleton is happy with how she did during her debut.
“I think I did good,” she said. “I think it went great.”
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