'Mixed Nuts': Classic Dance Turned On Its Head

For ballerinas and ballet enthusiasts everywhere, Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” is a long-standing Christmas tradition. But the perennial wintertime favorite leaves out the rest of the dance world and that’s something that Diane Shumway of Studio 3 in Bridgehampton is about to change with “Mixed Nuts,” her twist on the holiday classic, which will stage at Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor this weekend.

Ms. Shumway said she hopes her modern interpretation turns “The Nutcracker” on its head. Incorporating tap, jazz, contemporary and hip-hop to the standard ballet, she said that her updated version of “Nutcracker,” written and choreographed with her daughter, Meredith, breathes new life into the conventional Christmastime story.

“We felt it was time for something new and contemporary,” Ms. Shumway said during rehearsal at her 1,000-square-foot dance studio in Bridgehampton on Saturday. “I love the tradition but I also thought it would be fun to modernize it a bit.”

Another bonus brought about by “Mixed Nuts,” in which the plot still sticks closely to the original story, but with some added twists and turns, is that all types of dancers—not just ballerinas—get their shot to take the stage.

“Not everyone can be a ballerina,” Ms. Shumway said. “This gives a lot more kids a chance to dance.”

Approximately 40 select dancers from the Studio 3 stable will perform in “Mixed Nuts,” Ms. Shumway said. With the exception of a few roles danced by adults, the dancers range in age from 7 to 18.

Even though a variety of contemporary dances will be incorporated into “Mixed Nuts,” ballet will still figure prominently into the Studio 3 production. On Saturday, a handful of young ballerinas practiced their roles

en pointe

as Snow, in the traditional garb of white tutus, and as Dolls, dressed in yellow and pink leotards.

Some of the changes from the original two-act Tchaikovsky ballet to the Studio 3 version, also performed in two acts but set in modern-day Sag Harbor, are more modern costumes and props, such as cell phones and iPads, as well as tweaks to a few of the characters. For example, the character of Councilor Drosselmeyer, a magical inventor and the giver of the magical Nutcracker (played by Logan Shumway in the “Mixed Nuts” production) to young Clara (played by Alexandra Makoid), has been changed into Aunt Dressmizer (played by Carole Campolo), a chic and mysterious benefactor dressed all in black. Additionally the characters of some of the dolls have been changed to Barbie-type dolls and G.I. Joe-type dolls, who will be dressed in fatigues.

“We’ve incorporated what is current and they’re very excited about it,” Ms. Shumway said. “They are all pumped up with all the technology.”

There will also be some musical changes in this production. The Tchaikovsky version begins with the “

Petite Ouverture

,” followed by the party scene, “

Une Fête de Noël.

” But the “Mixed Nuts” version begins with a rockin’ hip-hop party scene set to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s version of “Nutcracker.”

But, sticking with tradition, the role of the Cavalier will be performed by a professional ballerino, as is the standard in traditional productions of the ballet. That role will be played by Bran Hernandez, who was trained at the School of American Ballet and has been a principal dancer for the Shanghai Ballet, Delaware Ballet, and other professional companies.

Meredith Shumway, who will dance the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy, said that she and her mother wanted to add a contemporary twist to “The Nutcracker” right out of the gate. In fact, “Mixed Nuts” is their first stab at staging the holiday classic since Ms. Shumway opened her studio eight years ago.

Standing out from the other traditional “Nutcracker” productions and offering something different was their motivation, Meredith said.

“‘Nutcracker’ has been done a million times,” she said. “We see the same things, the dancers do the same things. This is new, fresh. Everything is different, fun and exciting.”

“Mixed Nuts” by Studio 3 will be staged at Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor on Friday and Saturday, December 16 and 17, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, December 18, at 2 p.m. This classic production of a holiday show is “Nutcracker” with a twist. May contain traces of ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop and lyrical. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for seniors and students and may be purchased in advance by calling 537-3008 or emailing diane@dancestudio3.com. dancestudio3.com.