Ballet Theatre of Maryland’s production of The Nutcracker is a colorful celebration of dance and history. Choreographer Nicole Kelsch has made some changes to Tchaikovsky’s classic work, setting it in 19th-century Annapolis, with a Prologue during the War of 1812, a naval battle, the sweets that would have been found on Main Street shops at the time, and even a nod to a current law allowing residents to keep chickens.
Reese Poole brings a childlike wonder to Clara. Receiving the nutcracker doll, she waves it in the air, showing it off. She dances joyfully throughout, amazed at everything she sees. Diego Sosa plays the Nutcracker with quiet strength, defending Clara from the rats and carefully leading her onto and off the boat taking them throughout the land of sweets. His solos are full of power, with spins and leaps, as are his duets, lifting his partners and carrying them. Playing Clara’s grandfather in the Prologue, he quietly consoles his family as he goes off to fight.
Alexander Collen commands attention as Drosselmeier, performing sleight-of-hand magic and moving two ships away. He has great visual comedy as the Mother Hen, gliding on and offstage and directing the chicks (Ivy Waltz, Ella Cochrane, Caroline Cooke, Emma Day, Lara Dugdale, Lizzie Langbein, and Sarah Reedy) as they emerge under his oversized costume. The chicks move like chickens, pecking from their waists up and rolling around a large egg.
Rowan Treece and Michael West Jr. as the Ballerina and Soldier Dolls imitate mechanical dolls perfectly, with robotic movements. Treece twirls and falls at her waist, needing to be wound up, while West marches and jumps.
Madilynn James brings a mischievousness to Fritz, pulling the nutcracker until it breaks, then leading the boys at the party (Eve Barrett, Ella Cochrane, Ella Gannett, Jillian Graff, Ruthie Larsen, Sarah Reedy, Laura Snodgrass, Emily Wacker, Ivy Waltz, Emma Barrett, and Lilane Salmon) in playfully attacking the girls (Brooke Allen, Hayden Arthur, Ainsley Bachmann, Carolyn Clark, Cassie Gebbia, Alena Hamma, Caroline Johnson, Zuri Mack-Hardmon, and Dylan Murphy) as they play with their dolls.
Aaron Bauer radiates authority as the Rat King, directing the Rats (Hannah Brickey, Danielle Daniel, Laura Snodgrass, Fiona Spano, and Lucinda Valdez), and the Mice (Rebekah Wear, Lena Heiss, Poppy Kellogg, Maria Miller, Meredith Miller, Blair Iannuzzi-Shorts, Ivy Waltz, and Izzy Wear) in their battles. As it turns against them, he shakes his head in disbelief. The Rats and Mice circle Clara and the Nutcracker and bow before the Rat King.
The Snow Queen and King are elegant, with spins, leg extensions and the King lifting and carrying the Queen. The Snowflakes (Lauren Anderson, Cindy Case, Elinor Fucile, Ellie Goods, Hannah Hanson, Mimi Hardin, Alyssa Hyman, Madeline Jones, Lauren Martinez, Brenna Mazzara, Clara Molina, Cassandra Hope Moyer, Alyssa Nichols, Kyley Paules, Rachel Visosky, and Victoria Walpole) race across the stage, then form careful lines and turns.
Sarah Jung gives a majesty to the Sugar Plum Fairy, welcoming Clara and directing her Attendants (Brooke Allen, Hayden Arthur, Carolyn Clark, Alena Hamma, Caroline Johnson, Zuri Mack-Hadron, Missy Semple, and Emily Zarrilli) in gliding across the stage before peeling off.
Marjorie O’Hearne and Aaron Bauer play Caramel, joined by a rope that coils and unwraps as they move closer together. Erin Jenkins, Julia Walden, Isaac Martinez, and Brayden Page jump and lift each other up as Peppermint. Mia Koshansky, Rachael Spicer, and Catherine Welch spin and twirl as Rock Candy. Brenna Mazzara, Paul Lytle, and Michael West Jr. leap and spin as Popcorn, while Ellie Goods, Madeline Jones, Emma Lane, and Victoria Walpole glide as Cotton Candy.
Amanda Cobb captivates as the Dew Drop Fairy, turning and walking on her tiptoes in her solo, while lifted up and dipping in her duet with the Nutcracker. The Flowers (Lauren Anderson, Destiny Billot, Karen Fleming, Jenna Fritts, Elinor Fucile, Hannah Hanson, Mimi Hardin, Alyssa Hyman, Karissa Kralik, Clara Molina, Cassandra Hope Moyer, Rachel Visosky, Brooke Altman, Torrence Brickman, Gabrielle DeJong, Bridget Gildersleeve, Emery Newton, Amber Sanders, Taylour Turk, and Emily Wacker) dominate the stage, gliding and spinning in pairs and groups.
Scenic Designers Alexander Foley and Anne Foley, with Set/Prop Designers Edward Atsinger and Aaron Bauer, evoke 19th-century Annapolis, small brick houses unfolding into a living room with a sofa and chairs. Two ships pull up with “cannons” firing, and a small boat takes Clara and the Nutcracker around the land of sweets. The backdrops feature the outsides of homes that would appear in historic Annapolis. Costume Designers Karissa Kralik and Clara Molina create lovely outfits that help distinguish each character. Clara is in a simple white dress and nightgown, while the Nutcracker wears a dark navy military jacket. The Rats evoke the British in their red military jackets. Lighting Designer Stacie Johnson-Leske turns the stage blue for Drosselmeir’s entrance, and pink for the Flowers. Nicole Kelsch creates choreography with beautiful movements, showcasing solos, duets, and dances that both dazzle and tell the story. Connecting the Nutcracker with Clara’s grandfather touchingly relates Clara to her family’s history. The touches of Annapolis history make the beloved holiday classic feel new. Only three performances remain, so go see it!
Running Time: Approximately two hours, including one 20-minute intermission.
The Nutcracker plays December 20 and 21, 2025, presented by the Ballet Theatre of Maryland at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, 801 Chase Street, Annapolis, MD. Livestreamed performances can also be viewed online. For tickets ($39.11–$71.85), call the box office at 410-224-5644 or purchase online.
A virtual program is available here.
