INTERVIEW: This ‘Nutcracker’ is all about the Garden State
Photo: Nimbus Dance presents the Jersey Nutcracker this holiday season. Photo courtesy of Megan Maloy / Provided by AMT PR with permission.
Jersey Nutcracker, the celebrated production from Nimbus Dance, is touring around New Jersey this holiday season, a first for the dance company. In this unique interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s classic work, two children embark on a wild adventure in the Garden State, where they take on a corrupt mayor and troupe of rats, enjoy some time with hip hop dancers inspired by toy soldiers, and even encounter a Bruce Springsteen-like principal dancer, according to press notes.
Performances of Jersey Nutcracker kick off Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Wilkins Theatre in Elizabeth, New Jersey (that’s Kean University for the unbeknownst), followed by shows in Newark and Jersey City, New Jersey.
Samuel Pott serves as the artistic director of Nimbus Dance, and recently he took time away from his busy schedule to answer some questions about this first-ever Jersey tour of the Jersey Nutcracker. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
How closely does Jersey Nutcracker track with the original Nutcracker?
We’ve created an entirely new storyline concept that takes place in New Jersey: two kids, one from a rich family, one from a poor family. They are best friends and get together before the holidays in the downtown of their sometimes “dark and cold” city. They have an adventure running through the streets — set free with their childlike glee and imagination.
The city comes alive facilitated by the professional dancers who come out of the woodwork as “Shapeshifters.” The kids find a Nutcracker, some bullies try to steal it from them, there is a corrupt mayor, breakdancing soldiers and a rat king who eventually leads the kids through a magical manhole cover to a “vision of what their city might one day become.”
Act II is filled with people who dance and celebrate — with many local references: a Bruce Springsteen-like character, the Statue of Liberty, a “Bridge ‘n’ Tunnel” couple and a beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy.
What makes this show especially “Jersey”?
See above! Also, almost all of the creative team is made up fo New Jersey artists: Samuel Pott, choreographer, director; Alysia Souder, co-librettist; Laia Cabrera and Isabelle Duverger, set designs and scenic projections.
How are projections utilized in the production?
Jersey City-based artists Laia Cabrera and Isabelle Duverger have designed immersive, highly-vivid scenic projections that are mapped to the three-dimensional sets — bringing the stage to life and transporting the setting in fantastical ways.
Are you nervous or excited for your first-ever tour of the Garden State?
Both — excited about the tremendous opportunity to present Jersey Nutcracker in three of the state’s leading venues and build visibility for this wonderful and empowering show. Also, nervous about all the moving pieces — 16 professional company dancers, 119 youth performers, six designers (scenic, costume, video, lighting), 12 teaching artists focused on Jersey Nutcracker, three rehearsal directors, and the administrative staff and production crew of three organizations!
What’s the theater scene like in New Jersey in 2025?
For so long New Jersey arts have existed in the shadow of New York City. I think we have seen a dawning realization among New Jersey arts organizations that we need to support local and find ways to partner and collaborate. The arts are a big part of New Jersey’s identity, are a major economic engine for the state, and are part of the solution to ensure that citizens, young people especially, remain healthy, connected, and ready to take advantage of the what the changing world looks like over the short and long range. Incidentally, this is the message of Jersey Nutcracker: celebrate and empower New Jersey, its people and its places, and envision a bright future.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Jersey Nutcracker, presented by Nimbus Dance, will play Elizabeth, Newark and Jersey City, New Jersey, in the coming days and weeks. Click here for more information and tickets.
