In today’s fast paced world, we seem overloaded by the head-on collision of life, work and technology. One tries to crunch time in order to fit in everything we need to fuel us as human beings, parents, friends and lovers.
Every holiday season, most families look for something new and exciting to do. Searching for an infusion of culture in salient, sometimes repetitive lives, one yearns to hop into the big city searching for perhaps unique festivities to liven the holiday spirit. The intent is to take in a ballet, visit a museum and see the tree lights shimmer among the hustle and bustle of the busy streets.
Enter holiday salvation in the form of the American Theatre Dance Workshop (ATDW) in New Hyde Park where artistic directors Michelle and Jerome Vivona offer professional dance classes such as: classical ballet, theatre dance, musical theatre and tap.
For two nights only on Dec. 20 at 2 and 5 p.m. and Dec. 21 at noon and 7 p.m. the ATDW, in conjunction with the school of the Nomad Contemporary Ballet will hold the world premiere of Cracked, a modern twist on Tchaikovsky’s Classic Ballet—The Nutcracker in the Darby Auditorium at Chaminade High School in Mineola at 340 Jackson Ave.
The story was written by the ATDW’s artistic director, Jerome Vivona and choreographed by NOMAD Founding Artistic Director Kristen McGrew. The ballet will showcase the professional dancers of the Nomad Contemporary Ballet and the pre-professional dancers
and students of the ATDW Dance and Ballet Repertoire Company.
“As you hear Tchaikovsky’s classic hymns, you just might be catapulted back to simpler times,” Michelle said. “When you study the new costumes and listen to the provocative modern story, the magic just might instantly grab your attention. So get ready to grab your cellular device, place the ringer on silent, sit back, take a deep breath and enjoy the show.”
Husband and wife artistic directors, the two bring their expertise to the company with more than 20 years on Broadway performing in shows like: Kiss Me Kate, Gypsy, Sweet Charity (directed by Bob Fosse), How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, 42nd Street and more. Michelle was also a Radio City Music Hall Rockette.
The all new cinematic story of Cracked describes the coming of age of Kara, Clara’s granddaughter, on the eve of her 16th birthday, on Christmas Eve. You’ll see Kara on an epic journey throughout New York City to the Land of Sweets. Meet new characters and renew your relationship with old favorites as this romantic and thrilling story unfolds.
