Tanya Batson-Savage, Freelance Writer
Youngsters perform in the Desiree's Dance Theatre presentation of 'The Nutcracker Jamaican Style' at Little Theatre, Tom Redcam Avenue, last Friday. - WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
LAST WEEKEND, Desiree's Dance Theatre presented an evening of dance dubbed 'The Nutcracker Jamaican Style', at The Little Theatre, Tom Redcam Avenue, St. Andrew. The show was separated into two pieces. The first showcased a variety of dances, while the second was dedicated to the story of the nutcracker.
The performance featured choreography by Desiree Robins, Kevin Webb, Marlon Simms, Oneil Pryce, Shelly-Ann Maxwell, Khama Phillips and Arturo Fidalgo, while the dancers ranged from tots to teens. The dances ranged from the popular, the modern and gospel dances.
The evening began with dances of praise dubbed High Praise. The two-part dance featured a sedate piece directed by Fidalgo, and the second, a more lively, colourful piece, directed by Webb. The evening also featured a suite of dances, dubbed At the Movies, which were based on takes from Disney movies, including The Lion King, The Little Mermaid and Lady and the Tramp.
A touch of Christmas was also brought to the evening with A Jolly Time, featuring grades 1 and 2 dancers from St. Andrew Preparatory. Additionally, the evening also featured a solo, Gone Too Soon, by guest dancer Jessica Holt.
The Nutcracker is a famed Christmas story that gets restaged annually in North America. This version, written and directed by Robins, was more the Nutcracker played by Jamaicans, rather than representing a real Jamaican style. It was cut down to bare essentials and the 'Jamaican' relevance brought through a 'peenie wallie' reference and dance, as well as the use of a few Jamaican songs.
The quite cute and unaffected Cassidy Edwards played Maria, the young girl whose love brings the Nutcracker to life, while Dimitri Jones played the Prince. Kecia Taylor played The Mother.
