‘Nutcracker’ tests dancers’ strength, stamina

There's always something new to see in Nevada Ballet Theatre's "The Nutcracker," which opens its fourth annual Smith Center run Saturday.

Even if you don't know you're seeing something new.

"There's a lot of new choreography," according to NBT artistic director James Canfield, who, as "The Nutcracker's" choreographer, ought to know.

Canfield's new choreography "probably won't be visible to the naked eye," he acknowledges, describing the changes as "tweaking" to make the ballet "a little more seamless."

With a classic Tchaikovsky score, "The Nutcracker" (based on an E.T.A. Hoffman tale), recounts the magical Christmas Eve adventures of Clara, who receives the title nutcracker as a gift and enters into a world — make that worlds — of wonder.

In addition to streamlining "The Nutcracker's" storytelling, Canfield's changes reflect the increasing artistry of the dance company's dancers, he says.

"The dancers gather each year and even though it's 'The Nutcracker,' there's a whole year's worth of new strength" in the company, technically and artistically, the choreographer explains.

The dancers need that additional strength, with eight public performances — and three student matinees — on the schedule.

"They're used to only doing two or three" performances at a time, Canfield points out, and the expanded "Nutcracker" schedule "shows their new strengths. They gain year after year."

As a result, "it really does keep me challenged," he says. "That's why I have to keep challenging them."

Nevada Ballet Theatre's "Nutcracker" begins its run at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, 361 Symphony Park Ave.

Additional performances are at 1 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19; and 1 and 5:30 p.m. Dec. 20.

For tickets ($29-$179), call 702-749-2000 or visit www.thesmithcenter.com.

For more stories from Carol Cling go to reviewjournal.com. Contact her at ccling@reviewjournal.com and follow @CarolSCling on Twitter.