Nutcracker is the most magical time

Nutcracker is the most magical time for everyone at Sacramento Ballet! It’s when dreams really do come true for so many of the people involved. From that first magical time when you have the privilege to be part of the Nutcracker as a little child until the day when you perform the Sugar Plum Fairy for the first time. Nutcracker is the most organized time at Sacramento Ballet, there are so many wonderful volunteers, over 500 children, the company dancers, and only Run & Carinne some how keep everyone and everything running perfectly.  It’s a massive production that takes lots of love, time, dedication, and a true love for what it really means to be part of the Sacramento Ballet’s Nutcracker. 

I had the privilege to be part of this amazing company and  perform for them for 7 seasons, but it was during the Nutcracker season when we all grew as dancers, challenged ourselfs, discovered who we are as artists, and inspired the next generations to come. I was lucky to have performed pretty much most of the roles in the Nutcracker from Sugar Plum, Snow Queen, Arabian, Spanish, Flowers, Marzipan, Snow Flakes, Doll but my favorite time was when I happen to be off stage and I could watch the 1st Act.  It was great to see Ron perform! and nteract with the children. He never pretended or acted, it was all real. He meant every gesture, every laugh, every tender hug and we all were transformed just for that time to this magical place where all our dreams came true.  I can only speak from my experiences, but they will be forever in my heart.  The beauty of this magical Nutcracker is that, it’s bigger then any of us and it will be passed on to many more beautiful, talented, inspiring dancers.  Without Ron & Carinne's vision and life time dedication, none of these dreams would have been possible. All of my dreams did come true with Sacramento Ballet!

Angelica Burgos

"it’s hard to pick just one"

As a member of the Sacramento Ballet for 8 years, there are so many fond Nutcracker memories I can recall; it’s hard to pick just one that sticks out as my favorite! I was a part of the first Nutty Nut (I think I was pulled onstage on a Razor scooter by my Cavalier for the Sugar Plum Fairy entrance in Flowers). I remember my fellow Sugar Plum Fairies rallying around me, giving me tissues to wipe away sweat and water to drink as I completed my first ever Sugar Plum, and I learned Spanish, Demi’s, Snow, Marzipan, and Party Scene all in one day (I was the only “new girl” the first year I participated in Sacramento Ballet’s Nutcracker-WHEW!!!).
However, my favorite memory had to take place outside the theatre...I lived in the infamous D-Street house, that had been passed along year after year to Sacramento Ballet dancers. This particular year, my roommates, Whitney Popp (Whitney Simler) and Michael Separovich and I had a visit from our own “Mouse King.” We had a rat (or maybe more?) living in our house, and we affectionately named him “Lester.” Lester liked to torture us by running the halls at night, eating the food in our pantry, and occasionally checking in on us while we were sleeping. As any dancer can attest, Nutcracker season is very tiring and trying on the mind and body, and all you want to do when you get home after a performance is have a quick meal, shower, and go to bed. Well, Lester made sure we had none of that. One particular evening, I made my way to the precious bed, but soon after I fell asleep, I felt a rush over my head and frantically woke up and screamed out to Michael. He entered my room half asleep, with a end-table leg in hand (you do what you have to ward off the rats!!!). I explained to him that I had just felt Lester run over my head and that he had to be hiding somewhere in my room. Michael sat down on my bed reassured me that I was probably just tired and that there was no way Lester was in my room. Perfectly on cue, Lester leapt from his hiding spot in the blinds next to my bed between Michael and I, and after a few attempts, made it out of my room. Michael and I just looked at each other in disbelief, and I’m pretty sure I didn’t sleep the rest of the night!!! Lester left me alone after that evening, but the thought of him getting his revenge for all of the Mouse King’s out there still makes me laugh!

Sarah (Hinman) Wilson

My first solo in white tights

I remember the first year Whitney and I invented the Double Hoop variation. It was the final performance of a 24 show run and Whitney was cast as the Candy Cane. She was always so nervous of the part that she asked me to do it for her. As her best friend, I couldn't see her suffer alone, so we decided to do it TOGETHER! We rehearsed early in the mornings before anyone came to work. The night if the show, i exited as Nutcracker, changed costumes just in time, and barreled on stage opposite Whit. And it couldn't have gone better. We nailed all out elements.  At one point, I remember she rolled her hoop to me while I threw mine to her. After catching them we went into synchronized fouetté turns. It was such a wonderful adrenaline rush. I'll never forget it. 

I also remember my first cavalier. It was a Tuesday evening, and it was the 17th performance of the run. The pas de deux with Trisha Sundbeck went flawlessly. I was confident and poised at the top of my solo. I couldn't believe it! My first solo in white tights - I felt like it was my time! I began the solo and completed the first few eights. I ran to the corner to begin the menège. Half-way through, I landed a tour-jete and for some reason, my leg refused to catch my weight. The next thing I knew I was doing a series of backward somersaults in white tights and a white tunic. My legs were so tired they couldn't hold me up! I got to my feet and finished in sous-sous, walked downstage and finished the pirouettes with ease. It was so peculiar. Some people thought it was actually choreographed! I think Carinne missed that performance!

Charlie Hodges

Some of my fondest memories of Nutcracker

Some of my fondest memories of Nutcracker begin with the Party Scene.  Every year Ron would give his speech about how 'we' (the dancers) were responsible for our party children.  If our children picked their nose, it meant we, as parents, were picking our nose.  It seems funny, and it was, but the truth is, he wanted us to be accountable for our time as a momentary family on stage.  Ron wanted it real, and he wanted us to act, with the intent of bringing real life to the stage.

I never got to participate in Battle scene, but would have if given the chance.  I was always determined to get Ron or Carinne to let me do absolutely every part in Nutcracker.  

This brings me to my greatest memory to date....dancing the first ever part of female Russian lead.  I think I begged Ron to let me do the 'male' version for years, and years, but to no avail.... until my last year.  I was fortunate enough to have been the first at Sac ballet to do Russian lead!  I didn't get to do the boy's version, but it did get a revamp and I will remember it forever.

Doing post performance talks were always a wonderful time to see those that always supported us with food or love through absolutely ALL...Janny, Fred, Eileen and Dennis, Lois, the list goes on.... to you, Ron and Carinne, and the Sac Ballet....may you have many more wonderful years.  

Thank you for mine!

Whitney (Simler) Popp 

"The next thing I knew, a fake mustache was slapped on my face"

When I was about 13 years old I was taking ballet classes at a small studio in Sacramento when I met Ron Cunningham.   To add some additional ballet training to my more competition style training, Ron gave me the opportunity to dance in The Sacramento Ballet’s The Nutcracker, I had been to see it a couple times, but never thought I would be a part of it. I was cast to dance the side Russian with another boy named Harry Nelson. Little did I know that I would end up dancing every show and got really good at doing coffee grinders. I remember after a couple shows they were short a party parent and, to my surprise, I was asked to fill in. The next thing I knew, a fake mustache was slapped on my face and I was paired up with a tall beauty named Carole Youngjohn. My ad libbing and following along skills were surely put to the test.  I remember watching in awe as all the professional dancers acted and felt so comfortable on stage while I was dragged around and told what to do.   I eventually felt better doing it and have been a party parent for over 20 years now.  I have to say the most special moments for me were playing the Nutcracker with Ron Cunningham as Uncle Drosselmeier. I learned a lot from his acting skills and use them in my own Drosselmeier performances now. I can't really remember any funny stories except for the usual trying to look elegant and not falling off Snow Sled, people slipping on dry ice fog, and people getting injured and limping of stage (Kirsten).  Oh wait, there was the famous Nutcracker tour to Victoria, Canada! We really didn't have enough dancers for all the parts so there were stage hands in mouse costumes and, as the Nutcracker, the mice lift you around.  Well, they weren't very experienced or good at lifting and ended up dropping me and I broke my toe. Lucky enough I didn't miss any shows because there was a huge snow storm and we all got snowed in. The rest of the tour was one big snowed in party and I limped around and enjoyed myself.  The end!

Jared Nelson

Principal Dancer

Washington Ballet

Chandler Metcalf and his service dog, Bernice, make The Nutcracker their tradition, too!

The Nutcracker has been a holiday tradition in our family from even before our son Chandler was born. This year is Chandler's 9th year performing in the Sacramento Ballet 'Nutcracker'. I know there  are dancers who have been around as long or longer than our son, but our son has cerebral palsy and uses a walker to ambulate.

It was, and is, the vision, empathy, and insight of Ron Cunningham that created a role for a child in a wheelchair. Chandler isn't the only special needs child to have been embraced and included as part of the Nutcracker family. However, his inclusion has been a community gift for our family and the Nutcracker casts.

Last year Chandler received a service dog from Canine Companions for Independence. Bernice is a Lab Golden cross. When Ron saw Bernice he asked if she could join Chandler in the Prologue. This is Bernice's second season in the cast.

We are not sure if it was kismet or serendipity, but before moving to Sacramento my wife and I attended the Boston Ballet performance of The Nutcracker and watched Ron Cunningham strut as Dr. Drosselmeyer. We didn't know our paths were destined to cross so many years and so many miles away.

Sacramento is blessed to have found Ron and Carinne. They are not only talented artists, choreographers and teachers but remarkable ambassadors for whatever they embrace.  Our family joins others in congratulating Ron Cunningham on the occasion of his 25th anniversary with the Sacramento Ballet. Next year we can congratulate Carrine on her silver anniversary.

Sacramento is blessed by their vision and heart!

From: Geoff, Linda and Chandler Metcalf

It was one of the most magical things that I’ve ever been a part of.

Sacramento’s Nutcracker has always been my staple as representing the holiday season. I was in the Nutcracker from when I was 7, as a Mother Ginger’s Child, to when I was 13 as an Angel. When I was 10 years old, I was given the amazing opportunity of being Clara. I really was in a dream state the entire time, starting with when I was cast to my very last show. It was one of the most magical things that I’ve ever been a part of. I loved every single moment of it. One of my fondest memories was sitting on the throne during the second act. I had never actually seen the Nutcracker from the audience, so it was so much fun to not only get to watch the show, but to have the best seat in the house! I remember that I was so enthusiastic up there, Ms. Binda said, “I couldn’t keep my eyes off of you while you were on the throne,” which I wasn’t sure was a compliment or correction! Another favorite memory was running with the Nutcracker during the Snow scene. It was like I was living in a dream (so much that I had to literally be dragged by Sunchai, who was playing the Nutcracker, in order to make our cues). And who could forget the magic of the tree growing? Definitely one of my favorite parts!

Although having the honor of playing Clara, I do not want to undermine the magic of every other year I have been in the Nutcracker. I truly believe that no matter the role, big or small, you play just as important a part in making the Sacramento Ballet’s production what it is. I have innumerable memories of rehearsals, being backstage, and of course performing, regardless of what role I played. It was truly a time where I felt like I was part of something bigger, which I think this is an amazing thing to give to children. I’ve always been inspired by what Mr. Cunningham is able to do, especially with the children in his Nutcracker. He creates a sort of magic that has and will continue to stick with me for years! I even still sing his little songs he made up to help remember the dance steps, 13 years later. (“Kiss and a kiss, and kiss and kiss, half a turn, and bump your butts.”

Words cannot express how much I love and look forward to this production of The Nutcracker each and every year. Although my last year performing was in 2006, I just can’t seem to stay away. Each year since, I have helped with the makeup for the children backstage, where I can see that the same magic I felt is still just as evident in the children now. The atmosphere that is created is something that can't be replicated. Mr. Cunningham has created a production that is inspiring and addicting, keeping many families hooked each year. And besides, who could pass up on the opportunity to get to sing, “step upstage and do a bow, walk around your partner” during each show’s party scene? 

Becky Quinn