MANSFIELD – Audiences at the Renaissance Theatre will be transported back in time on Saturday with a revamped version of “A 1940s Nutcracker” presented by Neos Dance Theatre.
A new technology called “projection mapping” will be used to create a virtual Mansfield for two performances of “A 1940s Nutcracker” this Saturday, Dec. 10. The projection mapping comes courtesy of a $50,000 grant from the Richland County Foundation.
“We’ve done an overhaul of everything,” said Robert Wesner, Neos co-founder and artistic director.
Projection mapping, also known as video mapping and spatial augmented reality, is a new technology that can turn common static objects into interactive displays. The video can be combined with audio, or triggered by it, to create audio-visual narratives.
Wesner explained the projection mapping is being done by a local visual effects specialist, working with a team of people to essentially draw the city of Mansfield. Those drawings will then be created as 3D animation and serve as the backdrop to “A 1940s Nutcracker.”
“We go back and forth between this kind of animated setting the stage of where we’re at into projected images, drawings and visual effects,” Wesner said. “All three of those types of things have been totally redone.”
“A 1940s Nutcracker” was first presented by Neos at the Renaissance Theatre in December 2015. The story follows the traditional telling of the “Nutcracker” ballet when, after a Christmas party at their home, a young Maria falls asleep and has a strange dream where her nutcracker doll comes to life.
Where the story differs is Maria’s dream following a surreal account of the events throughout her day, set in a 1940s-era Mansfield. Setting the backdrop of Maria’s adventures through Mansfield are historical scenes depicting local troops from World War II, tours of Malabar Farm, and downtown shopping.
“I looked culturally around and felt as though a lot of our holiday traditions – Santa Claus, singing, movies we watch – have scenes set in the 1940s as an iconic age of film and fashion,” Wesner said. “Once that happened, the idea of putting it in a town made it much more appealing, and we have an opportunity to engage the audience in a real tangible way.”
More than 40 dancers will be involved in the dancing production this year. Dancers come from Neos Dance Theatre as well as Ballet Wooster.
In its second year of production, this year’s version of “A 1940s Nutcracker” continues to grow even in one year’s time. Dancer Mary-Elizabeth Fenn, who plays Maria, spoke of the risks the dancers are able to take now that they’ve become more comfortable with their characters.
“This year’s a lot more flowing, and the connection Ethan (Michael Lee) and I have from last year being together has grown so much this year,” Fenn said. “I feel like the choreography grew with that, lots of trusting and sweeping and moving throughout.”
“The more we get to know the ballet, the more we trust who these characters are and where we’re at,” said Wesner. “I feel like we’re all dancing with a lot more risk and it’s fun.”
“A 1940s Nutcracker” will feature Neos dancers performing to live music by the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra, historic images of Mansfield, synced sound and film, moving set pieces, and new costume designs. The ambitious production will pay homage to an iconic age of film, fashion, American Christmas traditions, the industrial age, and WWII.
This is the first time the show will be performed with live music provided by the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra. Dancer Ethan Michael Lee, who plays Johnny the neighbor boy and Maria’s love interest, said the live music adds another layer of complexity to the performance.
“It’s very different from using a regular track, because with a track there’s never a variable,” Lee said. “When it’s live, the same way dancers take liberties with how we dance they take liberties with how they play. It’s never the same, you have to be really fine-tuned with the musicians as well.”
The Mansfield performances of “A 1940s Nutcracker” are Saturday, Dec. 10 at 2 and 8 p.m. in the historic Renaissance Theatre at 138 Park Ave. West. Before the shows, there will be entertainment and elements of Mansfield history on display in the theatre’s lobby.
“In the afternoon we’re going to have one of our ballerinas in the lobby to read our version of the Nutcracker story to kids, and in the evening we have a guest choir coming to town from Ashland,” Wesner said. “Also, the Mansfield Memorial Museum will be setting up different unique things that were prevalent in that era.”
While the story of the “Nutcracker” ballet is a Christmas classic, the magic of the show itself has yet to wear off – even for the dancers themselves.
“It hasn’t gotten old for me,” said dancer Anna Trumbo. “I still have those moments in the wings before the snow scene when I hear the music. It’s easy to tear up because this is still my dream and I still get to do this, and it’s wonderful to be a part of.”
Tickets for the Mansfield performances of “A 1940s Nutcracker begin at $19 and are available at www.mansfieldtickets.com or 419-522-2726.
