DANCE

Suchu Dance presents Shchelkunchik, December 1-4, 2011, at Barnevelder Movement/Arts Complex, 2201 Preston Street. Two words: deconstructed Nutcracker.

Shchelkunchik is the Russian word for the Nutcracker Ballet (Pronounced SHELL-coon-chick). Loosely using as source material the original story by E.T.A. Hoffmann, "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King," Suchu Dance is branching out from its usual non-representational style by creating a dance with a narrative, although we must say the narrative will be delivered in a non-linear, collage format. Shchelkunchik is a comedic and edgy deconstruction of the original E.T.A. Hoffmann story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. If the Nutcracker makes you want to throw up a walnut, this show is for you.

For movement sources, Suchu Dance takes archival dance footage from the late 1800's through 1920's, as well as photographs and drawings from the original Nutcracker ballet that premiered in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1892, and twists and contorts it from a contemporary viewpoint. It is interesting to note how dance technique has evolved over the past one hundred years and looking at these vintage films provides insight on how tastes and standards have changed.

This will be a Suchu Dance take on the original story. We are not planning to mock or satirize the ballet in its current form, the one that is seen by audiences all over the United States during the Christmas season. We do, though, reserve the right to mock and satirize many, many things.The big elephant in the room is the famous score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. That is a difficult choice since the songs are so well known and beloved by so many. It is not likely that the music will be used as is or in its entirety, but it will be referenced.

This production can be thought of as an alternative, semi-Christmas-ish event for dance lovers (and haters).

Shown above: Suchu Dancer Tina Shariffskul. Photography/digital collage courtesy of LSarah Creative.