The Nutcracker — Blanca Li

Duration: 75 minutes

Credits

• Choreography & Direction: Blanca Li
• Musical Direction & Arrangements: Tao Gutierrez, based on the score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
• Lighting Design: Pascal Laajili
• Costumes: Laurent Mercier
• Video Design: Charles Carcopino
• Set Design & Props: Blanca Li and Charles Carcopino

Performers

Daniel Barros del Rio, Jhonder Daniel Gomez Rondon, Daniel Delgado Hernandez, Daniel Elihu Vazquez Espinosa, Silvia Gonzales Regio, Lidia Rioboo Ballester, Asia Zonta, Graciel Stenio Lisboa Recio

Production Team

• Mixing & Mastering: Max Miglin – MG Studio
• Assistant Director: Margalida Riera Roig
• Costume Assistant: Anna Rinzo
• Lighting Assistants: Solange Dinand and Claire Choffel
• Video Assistant: Simon Frezel
• Graphic Design: Jean-Baptiste Carcopino

Commissioned and produced by the Théâtre de Suresnes Jean Vilar for the Suresnes Cités Danse Festival 2022 edition.

Delegated production by Compagnie Blanca Li, with support from Cités Danse Connexions and Teatros del Canal, Comunidad de Madrid, and the Choreographic Centre of Teatros del Canal.

The original Nutcracker score was recorded by the Fundación Orquesta y Coro de la Comunidad de Madrid, conducted by Rubén Gimeno.

Additional music published by Sony Music Publishing, Universal Publishing, and Warner Music.

Notes on the Performance

Blanca Li presents a modern hip hop reinterpretation of The Nutcracker, the beloved tale accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable music. This new creation is inspired by one of the greatest masterpieces of the classical ballet repertoire.

For years, Blanca Li dreamed of reimagining the timeless story in her own way: through hip hop, cultural métissage, and an extraordinary ensemble of dancers. With explosive energy and movement, she transforms Tchaikovsky’s iconic score into a vibrant and contemporary urban experience performed by eight virtuoso dancers.

The embodiment of classical ballet

The Nutcracker was originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and his assistant Lev Ivanov and remains one of the defining works of the classical ballet tradition. Dancers traditionally perform in short tutus and on pointe, creating figures of extreme elegance.

Over time, the ballet has inspired countless reinterpretations by legendary choreographers such as:

• George Balanchine
• Rudolf Nureyev
• Maurice Béjart
• and now Blanca Li
  
  

A magical story

On Christmas Eve, Clara receives a wooden nutcracker from her mysterious uncle Drosselmeyer. During the night, she returns to look for the toy and discovers that the Nutcracker has transformed into a prince engaged in a fierce battle against an army of mice. After defeating the Mouse King, the Nutcracker takes Clara to the Kingdom of Sweets, where a magnificent feast and dazzling dances await them. At the end of the night, Clara awakens beneath the Christmas tree, holding her beloved Nutcracker in her arms.

A hip hop Nutcracker

For Blanca Li, the Russian soul of the ballet resonates naturally with Spanish exuberance. Her reinterpretation combines hip hop, cultural fusion, and an astonishing dance ensemble. She reshapes Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece into a striking urban performance.

The eight dancers draw upon their Hispanic cultural roots and an authentic Iberian hip hop movement deeply connected to its New York, Caribbean, and Californian origins. In this Nutcracker, Blanca Li blends multiple hip hop styles, combining breakdance with popping, boogaloo, and locking.

Reviews

“We can say that Blanca and her dancers did not miss their appointment — nor the fun. Clowning, hip hop, parodies of DJs, military parades, skating, gift-opening… Excitement builds, as does the musical intensity. The Nutcracker score here becomes a complement to soul, funk, and other old-school genres that guarantee a true celebration.”
— Danser Canal Historique, 14 February 2022

“Blanca Li presents urban dance in all its splendor: virtuosity, spins on the back and head, extreme physical effort. Floor breaks and upright styles, sometimes mixed with voguing moments and circle battles — acrobatic feats burst forth with overflowing vitality. The eight dancers, all highly skilled technicians and strong performers, multiply the spectacle. The Christmas party becomes a glorious riot.”
— Le Monde, Rosita Boisseau, 16 February 2022