Brown-Forman Nutcracker

Ashley Thursby and Brandon Ragland each return to the roles of Sugar Plum/Doll and Cavalier/Doll respectively, for some performances, though this is the first time I’ve seen them dance these roles together. As the Dolls it seems like they are having fun with the automaton-like conceptions of classical ballet attitudes. They come into their own in their Act Two variation. Thursby brings a serene regality to the Sugar Plum, supported with calm elegance by Ragland. It was deeply satisfying to witness the more spectacular leaps, lifts, and fish dives be an organic resolution to a sequence of moves, rather than to experience an obviously muscular prep for those moments. A testament to Thursby’s understated technique and Ragland’s increasing assurance as a classical partner.