WCPA’s “The Hip Hop Nutcracker”

Originally published on social media on November 14th, 2024

Ever since the trailer for Disney’s “Nutcracker and the Four Realms” came out years ago, I knew that Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” was music you could get jiggy with. When I heard about this show coming the WCPA, I was beyond curious about how Hip Hop and “The Nutcracker” were going to come together. It turns out that the two pair somewhat naturally with one another when allowed to be explored in out of the box ways. This show was not only loads of fun, but it far exceeded my expectations because of the way it revealed a whole new essence to a ballet, story, and musical score that I have loved for years.

Hip Hop Nutcracker brought E.T.A Hoffman’s story to a modern day New York. Marie-Clara is a young adult, and she attends a party with her parents on New Year’s Eve. Marie-Clara and her friends explore the city, including a stop at Drosselmeyer’s Toy Store. Along the way, she runs into a young adult man who sells cracked nuts on the street, calling himself “The Nutcracker.” The two fall in love, defeat the mouse gang, and travel back in time to the late 1980’s (thanks to Drosselmeyer’s magic). When in the past, they visit a club called “The Land of Sweets” where people with nicknames like “tea”, “coffee”, and “chocolate” show off their dance moves. They also happen to see how Marie-Clara’s parents fall in love, and when they make it back to their own time, they help reunite the fighting parents. Through this, there are so many elements and nods to the original story that are so well executed. Also, I love that they are young adults because I always thought Tchaikovsky’s score sounded so romantic.

Speaking of the score, the “Hip Hop Nutcracker” was true to the art of hip hop, but danced entirely to Tchaikovsky’s original score. It felt like a ballet but with hip hop if that makes sense. The dancers truly engaged with the rhythms of the score and embraced all the little things that make the score magical. I’m truly in awe of their talent and instinct.

Before the show began, MC Kurtis Blow led the audience in dancing and singing along to classics like “Rapper’s Delight.” We even did a group “Heyyy Ho!” I felt full freedom to be goofy and have fun. I loved it!