Grand Kyiv Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’ Review: Ukrainian Dancers Take Center Stage

On Nov. 29, the Grand Kyiv Ballet brought their rendition of the holiday classic “The Nutcracker” to life at the Emerson Colonial Theatre — a performance that shone in technical prowess as well as masterful artistry.

The Grand Kyiv Ballet, founded by Oleksandr Stoianov in 2014, has had a very impressive history. Their beginnings were meager — they had no decorations and no official company members. For their first 35 performances in France, they rented out their own costumes, made their own decorations and props, and started their first tour. Now, 10 years since the company’s founding, they have expanded their reach globally, performing in the USA, Spain, Norway, Belgium, Sweden, Chile, China, Poland, and many other countries. They now have over 500 performances per year with 120 dancers in the company on tour.

In addition, the proceeds from the company’s tour in the USA this year and next year will support the restoration of the Main Ballet Academy of Ukraine and the repair of their children’s dormitories, which have been damaged in the Russia-Ukraine war. This initiative added a sense of significance to the ballet company’s performance, allowing for the audience to contribute to the preservation of ballet in Ukraine.

The first act opened with the party guests arriving at the Stahlbaum family’s Christmas celebration. The cast was quite small, with only a couple of children and three pairs of parents, creating a sense of intimacy and charm. While the cast seemed to have some technical hiccups early on, perhaps due to the unfamiliarity with the small stage of the Emerson Colonial Theatre, they were able to quickly regain their footing. This was especially evident in the famous snow scene, where not only did the beautiful costumes dazzle, but so did the dancers’ amazing technique.

The second act then transported the audience into a fairytale world, where the Nutcracker Prince and his friends celebrated the defeat of the terrifying Mouse King. The Grand Kyiv Ballet’s performance in the second act was all about the dancing. Each number successively featured fewer and fewer dancers, which placed more emphasis on the intricate partnering work. The minimalistic approach to the rendition of the second act allowed for the dancers’ technique and artistry to take center stage, showcasing the true enchantment of ballet.

Among the highlights of the second act were the Ukrainian dance and the classic Sugar Plum pas de deux. Stoianov choreographed the Ukrainian dance to Tchaikovsky’s “Trepak” to showcase Ukrainian culture. As the dancers whirled around the stage, the traditional Ukrainian dance was a welcome addition to the ballet.

The pas de deux, on the other hand, showcased the classic ballet technique of the highly trained dancers. Not only did the soloists showcase breathtaking stunts, they performed each step with grace and clarity. Clara, performed by Anna Stoianova, showcased her stunning technique through her careful turns and lightness as if she was floating across the stage. Similarly, the Nutcracker Prince, performed by Daniel Kish, demonstrated impressive jumps and good support of the ballerina during the duet.

The hand-painted backdrops were a highlight of the performance. Each detail, from the ornate decorations of the Stahlbaum’s home to the whimsical touches of the fairytale world in the second act, showcased the meticulous craftsmanship of the Kyiv National Opera Theatre and the Odessa National Theatre. The costuming was equally as breathtaking, enhancing the visual splendor of the whimsical fairytale world, particularly in the snow scene. The shimmering silver tutus and dazzling tiaras of the snowflake dancers, the stunning uniform of the Prince, and Clara’s youthful pink dress truly brought the fairytale to life. The ballet company’s attention to detail in the hand-painted backdrops and the carefully crafted costumes also demonstrated a deep love of and care for the art form.

While the Grand Kyiv Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker” was not as grand as some larger productions, their version with a smaller cast carried a charm that allowed for the performers’ technical skills and artistry to shine. A large-scale production would have shifted the focus away from the dancers’ skills to the theatrics of the stage, but the smaller cast higlighted the dancers’ amazing technique.

Despite the initial challenges the cast went through, they were able to deliver a breathtaking performance that kindled the holiday spirit. The performers’ dancing and artistry set a heartfelt and magical tone, making the performance a great beginning to the holiday season.

—Staff writer Anastasia Poliakova can be reached at anastasiapoliakova@thecrimson.com.