Le Casse-Noix Moderne – The Modern Nutcracker

Michael Gagliardo, Conductor
Linze Rickles McRae, Choreographer
Etowah Youth Orchestras
Downtown Dance Conservatory

In 2008, composer and arranger Mike Gagliardo and choreographer Linze Rickles McRae began talking about collaborating for a performance of “The Nutcracker” with their respective organizations, the Etowah Youth Orchestras and the Downtown Dance Conservatory. However, Gagliardo and McRae agreed on one thing – that this version of the famous holiday classic should be like no other. At first the talk was of a “rock and roll Nutcracker,” in the style of the music of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. However, the project soon morphed into something bigger – a new take on the show that would encompass every form of popular music from the 1920’s to the present time. Gagliardo and McRae selected a representative portion of the music from the original work, maintaining the integrity of the original show while creating a production that would be both audience- and performer-friendly. From there, each selection became a different style. “Trepak” turned into a hard-swinging big band number, a la Buddy Rich. “Sugar Plum Fairy” became a soulful ballad straight out of Memphis and Stax Records. The Overture turned into straight-ahead rock and roll. “Mirlitons” tuned into western swing. And just like that, “Le Casse-noix Moderne” was born – a retrospective of modern music and dance, with all of the magic and familiarity of the timeless holiday classic!
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