December 25, 2024 - The Brooklyn Times - bklyntimes.com

On Saturday, Dec. 14, the Kings Theatre in Flatbush was transformed into a classical holiday wonderland, complete with enchanting fairy-tale scenes and stunning backdrops showcasing extraordinary stagecraft as the Grand Kyiv Ballet performed “The Nutcracker.”

The evening celebrated high art, cultural heritage, and the indomitable spirit of the Ukrainian people, set against the poignant backdrop of the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Directed by Oleksandr Stoianov, a People’s Artist of Ukraine, the performance exuded bittersweet elegance. Many of the ballet’s dancers, who had fled their war-torn homeland, brought an unparalleled depth of emotion to their roles. Audience members, including a significant number of Ukrainian diaspora and refugees, shared a deeply personal connection to the performance.

A tale of magic and resilience

Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, composed partly in Ukraine and inspired by its natural beauty, soared through the theater, transporting attendees to a world of holiday enchantment. The audience marveled as Clara’s journey unfolded — her battles with the Mouse King, her dreamlike voyage with the Nutcracker Prince, and the captivating dances of the Land of Sweets. Each scene, from the delicate Waltz of the Snowflakes to the vibrant Russian Trepak, radiated the brilliance of Stoianov’s choreography and the dancers’ artistry.

Anna Stoianova, who starred as Clara, graduated from the Kyiv State Choreographic School in 2020 and then worked at the National Opera of Ukraine until 2022. She joined the Grand Kyiv Ballet that same year. Stoianova, the sister of Oleksandr Stoianov, showed that the art of ballet runs in the family. Her portrayal of Clara’s tender courage captivated the audience with grace and strength.

Lead dancer Anna Stoianova, portraying Clara, captivates the audience.Photo by Arthur de Gaeta

Zack Tidswell, a soloist dancer with the Grand Kyiv Ballet from the United Kingdom, portrayed the feared Mouse King. Not only does he dance with the Ukrainian company, but he also opened his home to refugees fleeing the war.

Ballet beyond borders

For the Grand Kyiv Ballet, “The Nutcracker” is more than a holiday classic — it’s a platform for sharing Ukraine’s rich cultural legacy with the world. Founded in 2014, the company has performed globally, raising awareness and funds for humanitarian efforts since the war’s outbreak. Their tour embodies a message of resilience, demonstrating how art can transcend borders and unite audiences in hope and solidarity.

The Grand Kyiv Ballet’s performance was not Brooklyn’s only Nutcracker this season. Earlier, the company enchanted audiences at Brighton Beach’s Oceana Theater, another hub for Brooklyn’s vibrant Ukrainian community. Both performances underscored the universal power of storytelling, music, and movement.

The show is also ever-evolving for other troupes in Kings County.

Two different versions opened on Dec. 12: the Brooklyn Ballet’s “The Brooklyn Nutcracker” and the Mark Morris Dance Group’s “The Hard Nut.” Each offers a unique twist on the holiday classic, with the Brooklyn Ballet bringing a local flair to the story, and Mark Morris’s interpretation offering a playful and contemporary take.

A legacy of art and advocacy

For Stoianov, his journey from Simferopol to the helm of the Grand Kyiv Ballet reflects his unwavering dedication to both his homeland and his craft. In a heartfelt note included in the program of the Kings Theatre performance, Stoianov shared how ballet became his destiny, driving him to create performances that inspire and uplift audiences worldwide.

Kateryna Kukhar, Stoianov’s partner and a world-renowned prima ballerina with the National Opera of Ukraine, holds several distinctions, including Merited Artist of Ukraine (2012) and People’s Artist of Ukraine (2018).

The Grand Kyiv Ballet’s dancers, many of whom have fled war-torn Ukraine, perform with unmatched passion and resilience in ‘The Nutcracker’ at Kings Theatre.

“The Nutcracker” is just one of many captivating performances by the company, which also includes classic fairy tales and famous stories like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet, The Snow Queen, and Giselle.

As the curtains closed at Kings Theatre, the audience gave a standing ovation, not only for the dancers but also for the resilience of a culture that refuses to be silenced. The evening was a testament to the enduring magic of “The Nutcracker” and the timeless power of art to shine light in even the darkest times.

For Brooklyn and beyond, the Grand Kyiv Ballet’s performance was a holiday gift of beauty, hope, unity and a comforting diversion from the reality of war.