By: Gina Lanaux

Zoe Lombard-Todd, Artistic Director of Children’s Dance Theatre and owner of Creative Outlet Dance Academy in Fairhope, has performed in the classic Nutcracker Ballet for more than 23 years. She knows the music and choreography backward, forward, and sideways. At 7 years old, she was cast as a baker with Alabama Dance Theater, under the direction of Major Burchfield.

“I popped out of an oven in the ‘Land of the Sweets’. That was a big deal to be chosen to pop out!” She says proudly. She was cast as Clara, (for the unfamiliar, this is a lead role, the girl who goes on a magical journey with the Nutcracker Prince) when she was 11, with Anne Duke as director. Traditionally in the Ballet world, Clara is a child, but at 20 years old, Winthrop Corey, director of Mobile Ballet, decided to have an older version of Clara, inspired by the beautiful Zoe.

As we talk at the studio, she jumps up to show me how she reacted when her Nutcracker toy turned into a prince, her eyes sparking with the innocence and excitement of the character. “I could jump in now and do the role, if necessary. It was my favorite!”  This is her second year bringing the tradition of The Nutcracker to Fairhope, and she has made it her own, by calling it A Fairhope Nutcracker. 

So what makes her version different from the traditional performance? Act 1 is a party scene, normally in a stately living room. In this one, the party is in the street, similar to the Lighting of the Trees Event. “Families are gathering and window-shopping when Clara and her brother, Fritz, go to Fantasy Island Toys, where Clara sees a ballerina Doll and Fritz, a Soldier Doll. Uncle Drosselmyer, played by former Martha Graham Dance Company member, Don Prosch, joins the festivities and magically brings the dolls to life. The sets and scenery on the stage depicting downtown Fairhope, created by Artist Leslie Baumhower, will add another dimension to the story. Matthew Donnell, a professional guest artist from North Carolina, will dance the role of the Nutcracker Prince.

For the battle scene between Mice and Soldiers, historically (The ballet was conceived in 1862)  this scene could be a little frightening for children, with guns, cannons, and swords used to kill the Mouse Queen. Zoe has put some comedy into the performance by having the mice bring smelly cheese to make the Mouse Queen pass out. No violence at all. I love her creativity and sensibility! 

There is usually a snow scene in the traditional version, where Clara rides in a sleigh to the ‘Land of the Sweets’. Zoe cleverly chooses a boat as Clara’s transportation and instead of snowflakes, dancers are ‘ The Mist of Mobile Bay ‘. 

In act 2, in the ‘Land Of The Sweets’, Mother Ginger, brings an ice cream cart from Mr Gene’s Beans, a Fairhope staple. These changes will enhance the theater experience for young and old alike. A Christmas tradition for so many, including my family, the juxtaposition of the traditional with the new interpretation will make it extremely fun and entertaining.

“I feel passionate about preserving the art of traditional full-length ballets. It is important educationally for children to experience this art form,“ she says. The resident dance company, Children’s Dance Theater, has 18 dancers, and Ms Lombard-Todd held open community auditions to round out the cast to 80 dancers for the production.  From the youngest dancers as angels and mice to the very talented principal dancers, this ballet will kick off the Christmas Season at the Fairhope Civic Center, on Friday, November 22, at 6 pm Saturday, November 23, at 1 pm, and again at 6 pm.  Tickets are $10, $15 and $20.  Visit Children’s Dance Theater on Facebook for the link to purchase tickets.

Because Children's Dance Theater is a 501 © 3, non-profit organization, a Nutcracker Soirée will be held before the opening night show on Friday at 5:15 pm.   Tickets to the event will enable patrons to enjoy the full production, participate in a silent auction, and enjoy hors d'oeuvres and sweets from Aloha Hospitality, Panini Pete's, and Fairhope Roasting Company before the show and during intermission. Tickets are $30 to $50 to enjoy these festivities.

Plan to be delighted and waltz out of the Civic Center humming the musical score that we all know and love. As George Balanchine said, “Ballet is important and significant, yes, but most of all it is a pleasure.”