By Debbie Hall
The Nevada Ballet Theatre will showcase a new view on the Brothers Grimm tale of Hansel and Gretel at The Smith Center from May 15–24.
This visually spectacular Las Vegas premiere offers an imaginative hybrid of gothic, cinematic narrative features and theatrical comedy; all expressed through the medium of dance. Patrons will be catapulted into a new realm filled with danger, magic, and jest as they follow Hansel and Gretel down an epic adventure through a fantastical world of eccentric people, absurd encounters, and countless threats. All of this is set against the backdrop of the highly imaginative Ice Cream Witch, who has an insatiable desire to bake children and is one of the most memorable villains ever created in Theatrical History.
Unlike previous versions of this story, this retelling is a strong challenge to our view of the original tale. This production immerses the audience in an exciting but dangerous universe filled with fantasy and whimsy. The story of Hansel and Gretel will be told across many worlds of highly imaginative characters, odd situations, and danger lurking around every corner. The primary character in our story is the infamous Ice Cream Witch, a truly creative yet evil figure with a deeply unnatural obsession with baking children, which gives the story a different twist from the original.
An original score by Claire Cowan and dynamic choreography by Loughlan Prior add great emotional depth and energy to the ballet’s overall mood and character development. The aesthetics of this production are based on the film noir style of the 1930s, and much of the physical comedy draws on the physical humor and absurd style of silent movie star Buster Keaton. These elements create an interesting and well-balanced mixture of comedy, excitement, and dramatic storytelling.
The visual aspect of this production is nothing short of spectacular. Academy Award-winning costume designer Kate Hawley, who previously created costumes for movies such as Crimson Peak (Best Production Design Oscar), Pacific Rim, and Frankenstein, brings this fantasy world to life with highly detailed costumes that blend elegance and eeriness. With spectacular projected images and creative stage designs, this production creates an immersive world where sweetness is apparent on the surface, but beneath lurks darkness.
Although the theatre offers extravagant spectacle and playful theatricalism, Hansel and Gretel also offer timeless themes that make the story relevant through time. Underneath the fantasy of the story lies a story of hardship, resilience, survival, hope, and, eventually, the victory of good over evil. Through movement, dance and storytelling, the production presents these timeless themes in a way that captures the audience emotionally and entertains them.
Nevada Ballet Theatre’s Hansel and Gretel promises to be one of the most unforgettable theatrical experiences of the Las Vegas arts season — a mesmerizing fusion of ballet, cinema, fantasy, and live performance that appeals to audiences of all ages. Audiences should prepare to enter a world where nothing is quite as it seems and every sweet surprise may hide a deliciously dark twist. Experience the magic, mystery, and theatrical wonder of Hansel and Gretel.
Performances of Hansel and Gretel run May 15-24 at Reynolds Hall in The Smith Center May 15-24. For more info, visit The Smith Center and Nevada Ballet Theatre. Follow on Facebook @thesmithcenter and @NevadaBalletTheatre, Instagram @smithcenterlv and @nvballet, and X @SmithCenterLV and @NVBallet.
