Charlotte Nebres, 11, is the first black dancer to win the coveted role of Marie, the young heroine of "The Nutcracker." And Nebres' story is just one example of the changing face of the world of classical dance, reports CBS News correspondent Elaine Quijano.

What is the role of Marie in The Nutcracker?

Staging. In Balanchine's version, the leading roles of Clara (here called Marie) and the Nutcracker/Prince are danced by children, and so their dances are choreographed to be less difficult than the ones performed by the adults.

Are Marie and Clara the same person in the Nutcracker?

He chose to refer to Clara as "Marie." Because The Nutcracker ballet developed from two versions of a single book, the lead role of the story is sometimes named "Clara" and sometimes "Marie." However, in most ballet versions of the story, the little girl who dreams of a living nutcracker is referred to as "Clara."

How old is Marie in The Nutcracker?

Summary. The story begins on Christmas Eve, at the Stahlbaum house. Marie, seven, and her brother, Fritz, sit outside the parlour speculating about what kind of present their godfather, Drosselmeyer, who is a clockmaker and inventor, has made for them.

Who are the characters in The Nutcracker?

• Clara. A young girl. ...
• Sugarplum Fairy. A beautiful fairy who resembles Clara's sister Louise.
• The Nutcracker. Clara's toy that comes to life. ...
• Uncle Drosselmeyer. Clara's mystical Uncle. ...
• The Mouse King. The mischievous King of the Mice. ...
• Cavalier. The handsome partner of the Sugarplum Fairy.

Meet The First Black Star Of New York City Ballet’s ‘Nutcracker’ | TODAY

21 related questions found

Is the Sugar Plum Fairy Clara?

Already famous as a ballerina, Clara is presented to the Tsar and Tsarina at an imperial ball. As prima ballerina, she makes a triumphant debut as the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker. At the height of her joyous existence, the 1917 revolution breaks out and her beloved must leave for war.

Who is Dewdrop in The Nutcracker?

Dewdrop, the fleet, luminous leader of the Flowers in “George Balanchine's The Nutcracker,” is a dream part for Tiler Peck of New York City Ballet. “She's a fairy, a pixie,” Ms. Peck said. “She flies and flutters.

Does Clara fall in love with the Nutcracker?

Clara has a loving relationship with the Nutcracker since she first received him as a gift and immediately fell in love with him, despite being saddened by the story that Drosselmeyer told her about how his nephew Hans was cursed to become the same nutcracker that he gave her.

Why is it called nutcracker?

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker, based on a story by E. T. A. Hoffmann, derives its name from this festive holiday decoration. The carving of nutcrackers— as well as of religious figures and of cribs— developed as a cottage industry in forested rural areas of Germany.

Who is Lizzy Howell?

Lizzy Howell is a plus size dancer who catapulted to fame after she shared a video of herself nailing multiple fouettès (a series of turns performed while whipping the leg around) during ballet class.

Who is Mother Ginger in The Nutcracker ballet?

For Artist Drew Nelson, who stands at just over 6'1", this is his third year performing the role of Mother Ginger in The Nutcracker.

What is the real story of The Nutcracker?

The story of The Nutcracker is loosely based on the E.T.A. Hoffmann fantasy story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, about a girl who befriends a nutcracker that comes to life on Christmas Eve and wages a battle against the evil Mouse King.

What is the name of the main character in The Nutcracker ballet?

Clara, the name of the central character in The Nutcracker ballet, was the name of Marie's favorite doll. Her godfather, Herr Drosselmeier, gives her a nutcracker doll for Christmas.

Is Clara on pointe in Nutcracker?

Becoming Clara. But each year, only three young dancers are chosen to perform the coveted role in “The Nutcracker.” It's the role that everyone associates with the cherished holiday ballet. ... Rogers prefers to cast younger girls who have a childlike look, and his Clara does not dance en pointe.

What is the hardest role in The Nutcracker?

The Sugar Plum Fairy is among the most difficult roles in the ballet canon, although a talented ballerina can make it look effortless.

Did nutcrackers ever crack nuts?

No, functional, like, they can actually crack nuts. ... Most nutcrackers don't crack nuts.

Who invented nutcrackers?

In 1872 Wilhelm Fuchtner, known as the father of the nutcracker, made the first commercial production of nutcrackers using the lathe to create many of the same design.

Why is Nutcracker illegal?

In 2010, black community leaders including Al Sharpton spoke out against the sale of nutcrackers because of the unregulated drinks' potential dangers to health and to children.

What happened to Clara's mother?

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. ... Unfortunately, her mother, Marie, died when she was 6, though it's known to have been years after she had left the Four Realms.

Why is Mother Ginger's face cracked?

Though there are "cracks" in Mother Ginger's face that symbolize her breaking from the status quo. And a broken chandelier.

Is Mother Ginger good or bad?

Yes, Mother Ginger was actually good and Sugar Plum was bad, it's a twist you'd never seen coming if you hadn't already seen Frozen, or Toy Story 3, or Zootopia, or Wreck-It Ralph, or Coco, or paid any attention to this movie. ... This metaphor, like the Four Realms under Sugar Plum's rule, is falling apart.

What is a dewdrop fairy?

In the series, different Dewdrop Fairies teach how and when to plant vegetables based on their unique needs, as well as how to use fertilizer to help plants grow. ...

Who is Dewdrop WWE?

Kimberly Benson (born 6 May 1991) is a Scottish professional wrestler better known by the ring name Doudrop. She is currently signed to WWE, where she performs on the Raw brand.

Is Snow Queen a big role in Nutcracker?

The Snow Queen often performs a second role in Act II of The Nutcracker. What other roles do you perform and how do you switch modes? It's very typical and standard issue of The Nutcracker that we all do multiple roles, so it is a bit of a reflex.

Is Sugar Plum The villain?

The Sugar Plum Fairy, or also better known as Sugarplum, is the main antagonist of the 2018 Disney film The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. She is the manipulative and arrogant ruler of the Land of Sweets who plotted to take over all Four Realms with a massive army of Tin Soldiers at her command.