Interludes

VIEWPOINTS – A Recap of Holiday Entertainment (Part 1): An atmospheric solo CHRISTMAS CAROL at Merchant’s House and City Ballet’s definitive NUTCRACKER

• By drediman
• December 4, 2023
• No Comments

There’s much to see and do in New York as we head into December, and this includes holiday entertainment. How to sort through all the offerings? In my first of a series of holiday entertainment recaps, I’ll be offering my thoughts and recommendations to help out. Read on for my thoughts.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Summoners Ensemble Theatre at the Merchant’s House Museum
Through December 24

First up is Summoner’s Ensemble Theatre’s atmospheric one-man version of A Christmas Carol(HIGHLY RECOMMENDED). The premise is an interesting one — in 1867, Charles Dickens traveled to New York as a part of a global tour to do readings of his A Christmas Carol. This wonderfully immersive production envisions the author giving an intimate reading of the perennial literary classic at the Merchant’s House, where we are one of the lucky guests. John Kevin Jones takes on the role of Dickens himself, and he once again mesmerizes with the quality of his acting. Jones clearly has a passion for storytelling and the Merchant’s House Museum (aside from A Christmas Carol, Jones has appeared in other solo performances at the historic landmark), and it shows with the enthusiasm he infused the text. Indeed, his performance animates the Dickens classic with vivid characterizations and the flourishes of a master storyteller — there’s genuine affection for both the work and commitment the holiday spirit it evokes. In Jones’s hands, audiences are made to savor each word, and like Scrooge, we’re sent out onto the streets of the East Village with an extra bounce in our step. Although tickets for the live performances are completely sold out for this season’s limited run, there is still the option to stream Jones’s performance from the comfort of your own home.

GEORGE BALANCHINE’S THE NUTCRACKER
New York City Ballet at the David H. Koch Theater
Through December 31

Then uptown at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center, you’ll find New York City Ballet’s iconic production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED). A real New York tradition and arguably the definitive version of this evening-length holiday favorite, City Ballet’s version is the ideal blend of heartwarming mime, breathtaking spectacle, and top-notch dancing. Set to Tschaikovsky’s hit-laden score — played with style and fullness by the company’s excellent orchestra — The Nutcracker is a well-oiled machine that still manages to stir up affectingly genuine holiday cheer (unlike some other soulless commercial fare that shall here go unnamed). At the performance I attended, the expecting soloist Brittany Pollack made for a lovely Sugar Plum, dancing with a warmth and maturity that sometimes eludes younger dancers. As her Cavalier, principal Jovani Furlan performed with his typical robustness and sturdy presence. All but stealing the show as Dewdrop, however, was  the singular Tiler Peck, who floated through the role’s difficult choreography with utter control and uncanny musicality. Other standouts were Daniel Ulbricht’s definitive Candy Cane, KJ Takahashi’s dynamic Tea, and Emma Von Enck’s stylish Marzipan. Throughout, the kids were thoroughly charming if a tad under-rehearsed.