NYCB Vol. 13 No. 41 & 42- Nutcracker

1967

Counting down 50 NYCB Nutcrackers this year with stories from NYCB dancers past and present! Today we hear from Connie Hochman who was a student at SAB from 1964-72 (and who directed the film In Balanchine's Classroom).

“In the Fall of 1964 I entered SAB Children’s 3rd Division and soon found myself in rehearsal for The Nutcracker. My first memory was being dropped off at the City Center main lobby and walking around the block trying anxiously to find the stage door until someone in the box office finally helped me. Once over that hurdle, enchantment took over.

“I did Party Scene/Polichinelle for 3 years and Candy Cane for 2 years (being small had its advantages).  1964 was the year NYCB moved into the NY State Theater. Balanchine was everywhere tweaking the spacing for the new huge stage.

“In one rehearsal of Party Scene, when the lights dim and the children approach the Christmas tree in awe, Balanchine showed my ‘father’ David Richardson how to lift me high as I reach towards the upper branches all aglow. Balanchine made it magical but real. He wanted us natural, not affected. If we exaggerated, he let us know, there’s no need. It’s a real Christmas party. The wonder is built in.

“The way Balanchine oversaw the entire ballet, every detail, every moment; showing the full cast how to comport ourselves in the beginning of Act 2; how to stand, be alert, and pay attention to the Sugar Plum Fairy and Prince; how to wave at the very end as the sleigh sails above. Always calm, gentle, focused, completely in charge. Always teaching us with respect and care for everyone. The images are indelible.”

“One year in performance of Polichinelle, towards the end of our dance Mother Ginger dropped her mirror. It was lying there, center stage! I knew Flowers and Dew Drop came next and I was worried. The tension built during my last emboitees. Like reflex, I did my saute arabesque and just before darting under the giant skirt, I snatched the mirror off the floor and brought it off stage. Was that okay? I was terrified. In the wings, the grownups smiled and said, ‘Good job.’ Now I think Mother Ginger’s accessories are attached.

“As children, we were allowed to watch Act 2 from the wings… with Balanchine always there watching too. There was a heightened energy at all times. I remember each sublime Sugar Plum Fairy and gallant Cavalier – Patty and Edward, Violette and Conrad, Melissa and Jacques... and the Dew Drops were Suzanne, Marnee, Gelsey, Allegra... to name a few. There are no words to describe the dancing... the joy, exhilaration, and rapture of those performances.”