Eglevsky Ballet, Long Island’s premier ballet company and academy, presents its annual production of the holiday classic, “The Nutcracker,” featuring choreography by the company’s executive artistic director, Maurice Brandon Curry.
Returning in the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy is Unity Phelan, soloist from the New York City Ballet. Phelan will be partnered by New York City Ballet Principal Jared Angle in the role of The Cavalier. Celebrated actor Chris Comfort will portray Clara’s lovable and mysterious godfather, Drosselmeyer.
Eglevsky Ballet brings the beloved story to the Tilles Center stage with Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score, stunning costumes, thrilling choreography and a cast of more than 100. A holiday tradition for more than 50 years, Eglevsky Ballet’s production will be performed with live music provided by the Massapequa Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of maestro David Bernard.
Eglevsky Ballet’s production is the longest, continuously running Nutcracker production on Long Island and will be joined by select students from the Eglevsky Ballet academy to tell the story of a young girl named Clara and how a mysterious gift from her Uncle Drosselmeyer brings about enchanted dreams and fantastical scenes.
This year, Clara is being portrayed by 16-year old Erin Delargy of East Patchogue. Delargy is a junior at Syosset High School. This new production, which premiered in 2015, has a number of different elements chosen to dispense with the pas de deux usually performed by the Snow Queen and Snow King. Instead, it will be danced by Delargy and the Nutcracker Prince, portrayed by 16-year old student Lochlan Brooks.
Brooks is a student at the American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. The young Brooks was recommended personally by former American Ballet Theatre principal dancer and current artistic director of the American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, Cynthia Harvey.
The two young dancers will dance a pas de deux to the music for the famous snow scene. Curry says, “By doing this, the connection between the two characters is more developed and also gives the opportunity for Clara’s dream to have a more poignant and personal effect on our audiences.”
The performances will take place on Saturday, Dec. 15 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts in Greenvale. Tickets may be purchased from the Tilles Center box office or through Ticketmaster.
The Eglevsky Ballet has presented “The Nutcracker” as a holiday gift for children of all ages since 1960. This exciting production is a vibrant representation of the trajectory in which Curry is leading the organization.
