BWW Blog: Clarissa Moon - Dance Theatre of Orlando's THE NUTHOUSE Brings Modern Twists to Old Traditions

This year, the Dance Theatre of Orlando presents The Nuthouse -- a new holiday tradition. The production reimagines The Nutcracker in an insane asylum. On Christmas Eve, the patients celebrate the holidays and welcome a new inmate, Claire. After overdosing on medication, Claire slips into an alternative reality, envisioning the other patients as characters from the traditional ballet.

Tchaikovsky's enchanting music serves as a contrast to the horrors of the illnesses the patients face. The production cleverly finds ways to incorporate the sound effects in the score, such as the sound of the nutcracker and the clock. The dancing is beautiful, bringing modern twists to the traditional choreography.

Lauren Sherwood (Claire) is an incredible dancer with wonderful stage presence, conveying the charm, innocence, and emotional journey of her character well.

The mental patients each have distinct characters, and show commitment throughout the piece. I applaud their work as a cohesive ensemble.

Act two has a much lighter tone and is comprised of a variety of dances including a high energy solo performed by Tyler Kram with spectacular jumps. At the end of the act, the Doctor (Marshall Ellis) and Claire perform a beautiful pas de deux with amazing lifts and balances.

Next year, the Dance Theatre of Orlando will again conclude their season with The Nuthouse. Their next production, CHANGE, will run March 24-26 next year. For more information about Dance Theatre of Orlando, visit dancetheatreoforlando.com.