New 'Akron Nutcracker' brings Stan Hywet, downtown Akron of the '30s to life

Kerry Clawson, Akron Beacon Journal
·5 min read
Lieneke Matte of Verb Ballet, playing the part of Clara, practices a scene during rehearsal for "The Akron Nutcracker" on Sunday at Guzzetta Hall.
Lieneke Matte of Verb Ballet, playing the part of Clara, practices a scene during rehearsal for "The Akron Nutcracker" on Sunday at Guzzetta Hall.

It's safe to say there has never been a "Nutcracker" quite like this one, set on Christmas Eve in the Seiberlings' Stan Hywet mansion in the 1930s and evoking iconic street scenes from downtown Akron's yesteryear.

The collaborative "Akron Nutcracker," which has six local arts organizations joining forces to create its Akron-centric splendor, will have its world premiere Dec. 16 and 17 at E.J. Thomas Hall featuring more than 70 dancers and a live orchestra of 29 Akron Symphony musicians.

Emily Dietz of Verb Ballet, playing the part of the Raggedy Ann Doll, center, dances as cast members react during a rehearsal for "The Akron Nutcracker" on Sunday at Guzzetta Hall.
Emily Dietz of Verb Ballet, playing the part of the Raggedy Ann Doll, center, dances as cast members react during a rehearsal for "The Akron Nutcracker" on Sunday at Guzzetta Hall.

Having a live orchestra playing Tchaikovsky's beloved score along with a live "Nutcracker" ballet performance is a rare treat. Other live musicians will include 11 singers from Firestone High School's Akron School for the Arts.

The production is produced by the Dance Institute at the University of Akron, with artistic direction by Margaret Carlson, artistic director of Verb Ballets and former director of UA's dance program. The new ballet's choreography is a joint effort among eight choreographers, including Sikhumbuzo Hlahleni and Richard Dickinson of Verb Ballets; Mary Kay Finn, Alec Lytton, Pauline Howe and Julie Schullo of the Dance Institute; Northeast Ohio choreographer Yin Tang and Erica Piper of ArtSparks.

At a rehearsal in mid-November, student dancers from the University of Akron and the Dance Institute shared the stage with professionals from Verb Ballets as well as some parents of dancers, teachers and adult community dancers who will be performing. The group was rehearsing the lively party scene in Act I that brings together multiple generations.

Marc Ozanich, playing the part of Drosselmeyer, practices a scene with dancers from the Dance Institute of the University of Akron during a rehearsal for "The Akron Nutcracker" on Sunday at Guzzetta Hall.
Marc Ozanich, playing the part of Drosselmeyer, practices a scene with dancers from the Dance Institute of the University of Akron during a rehearsal for "The Akron Nutcracker" on Sunday at Guzzetta Hall.

"Children in the beginning entrance: Pick up your feet. You are not ice skating," Lytton reminded the students.

Later, a group of nine ArtsSparks child dancers executed a dramatic marching dance in the party scene, under the director of Piper. Another eight from the dance outreach nonprofit perform in the battle scene.

"The Akron Nutcracker," with a budget close to $200,000, will have plenty of Akron history and nostalgia, much of which Carlson wants to keep a surprise for viewers.

"In particular, it's a celebration of Akron's diversity and the way Akron has opened its arms to refugees and immigrants," most recently from Afghanistan and Nepal, she said. "Act II is all a celebration of Mother Earth and the peoples of the world, which is taken directly from Akron's population."

Kelly Korfhage of Verb Ballet, playing the part of the Snow Queen, practices a scene during a rehearsal for "The Akron Nutcracker" on Sunday at Guzzetta Hall.
Kelly Korfhage of Verb Ballet, playing the part of the Snow Queen, practices a scene during a rehearsal for "The Akron Nutcracker" on Sunday at Guzzetta Hall.

In the "Akron Nutcracker," Clara (Lieneke Matte) is the daughter of a Stan Hywet maid (Finn) and William (Hlahleni), the boy who grabs her Nutcracker toy, is the son of the butler (Lytton). When Clara goes into her dream, in which the Nutcracker transforms into the Prince, the traditional Mother Ginger character has now become Mother Earth. And instead of going to the Land of Sweets, Clara takes a trip around the world.

Sikhumbuzo Hlahleni gets help putting on his Nutcracker mask during rehearsal for "The Akron Nutcracker" on Sunday at Guzzetta Hall.
Sikhumbuzo Hlahleni gets help putting on his Nutcracker mask during rehearsal for "The Akron Nutcracker" on Sunday at Guzzetta Hall.

For this global theme, Carlson is highlighting the ethnic roots of various members of the cast. That includes Verb Ballets dancer Hlahleni of South Africa, who plays the Prince but also choreographed the "Mirliton" dance as a South African dance, complete with ethnic fabrics from his home country.

Yin Tang of Yin Tang Dance Company of Cleveland also created a traditional Chinese dance for another scene. Carlson, who pointed out that many "Nutcrackers" have featured Eurocentric dance styles even in the ballet's Arabian dance, wanted to make that number authentic. So choreographer Finn has researched and created a Sufi dance from Turkey, otherwise known as the whirling dervishes.

Organizers plan to present the unique "Akron Nutcracker" for years to come.

"What we've done is in planning this 'Nutcracker,' we have built into it that it will not be the same every year," with plans to celebrate other countries in the Act II global dances in future years, Carlson said.

Special sets

Sets by Ben Needham that put audiences in 1930s Akron include computer renderings that bring to life Stan Hywet's Great Hall as well as the historic Loew's Theatre on Main Street downtown (now called the Akron Civic Theatre). Needham, a Bedford resident who is owner and principal designer for Digital Squirrel Studio, had both backdrops digitally printed in New York.

Needham's been working with the "Akron Nutcracker" creative team for more than seven months to create the show. Other artistic team members are projections designer John Alexander, lighting designer Dennis Dugan, costume designer Irene Mack-Shafer and conductor Christopher Wilkins.

Last spring, in his first-ever visit to Stan Hywet, Needham had a private tour of the manor with a curator and took reference photos to inspire his "Nutcracker" designs.

Viewers will recognize the large Great Hall tapestry in his backdrop as well as the hall's beautiful woodwork and architectural details.

"I took my reference photos and a few they provided for me and tried to stylize the backdrops for the show in the world of Stan Hywet," Needham said. "When you see it you can recognize the Great Hall, but it's not literally the exact Great Hall."

Playing the parts of Clara and the Nutcracker Prince, Lieneke Matte, left, and Sikhumbuzo Hlahleni of Verb Ballet practice during rehearsal for "The Akron Nutcracker" on Sunday at Guzzetta Hall.
Playing the parts of Clara and the Nutcracker Prince, Lieneke Matte, left, and Sikhumbuzo Hlahleni of Verb Ballet practice during rehearsal for "The Akron Nutcracker" on Sunday at Guzzetta Hall.

The Stan Hywet set will include real presents and a Christmas tree. As young Clara goes into her dream, set pieces dissolve away to projections by Alexander, from falling snow to images representing countries around the world that she visits.

"Having worked on many 'Nutcrackers' over the years, this was fun because it was unique," Needham said. "Stan Hywet's such a gorgeous resource to be able to set this within."

Arts writer Kerry Clawson may be reached at 330-996-3527 or kclawson@thebeaconjournal.com.

Details

Ballet: "The Akron Nutcracker"

When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 and 17

Where: E.J. Thomas Hall, 198 Hill St., University of Akron

Onstage: Dance Institute, University of Akron dancers, Verb Ballets, community dancers, ArtSparks, Firestone High School singers, Akron Symphony

Offstage: Margaret Carlson, artistic director; Sikhumbuzo Hlaheni, Yin Tang, Mary Kay Finn, Richard Dickinson, Alec Lytton, Pauline Howe, Julie Schullo, Erica Piper, choreographers; Ben Needham, scenic designer; John Alexander, projections designer; Dennis Dugan, lighting designer; Irene Mack-Shafer, costume designer; Christopher Wilkins, conductor; Christopher Ha, stage manager

Cost: $20; youth, $15

Information: 330-972-7570 or ticketmaster.com

Scenic designer Ben Needham's rendering for "The Akron Nutcracker" places the story in Stan Hywet's Great Hall.
Scenic designer Ben Needham's rendering for "The Akron Nutcracker" places the story in Stan Hywet's Great Hall.
Scenes from Akron include the Loew's Theatre in "The Akron Nutcracker."
Scenes from Akron include the Loew's Theatre in "The Akron Nutcracker."
Scenic designer Ben Needham's rendering frames "The Akron Nutcracker's" "Waltz of the Snowflakes" scene with Stan Hywet's Great Hall.
Scenic designer Ben Needham's rendering frames "The Akron Nutcracker's" "Waltz of the Snowflakes" scene with Stan Hywet's Great Hall.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: 'Akron Nutcracker' brings arts groups together for 1930s Stan Hywet