I was reading a picture book about the story of Hanukkah…
Katy Alaniz Rous, with her husband,
Nick Rous and son Amitai
to my son Amitai. The first page depicted family and friends celebrating with everyone eating latkes & sufganiyot, and kids playing dreidel & winning gelt. The next page dramatized the Maccabees fighting against soldiers. It brought me back to performing in San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker as a child. I thought, “Why hasn’t anyone made this connection before?”
~ Katy Alaniz Rous
A dancer, choreographer, and a San Francisco native, Katy dreamed up this interpretation of The Nutcracker four years ago. Having recently discovered her own Jewish ancestry and having danced in The Nutcracker for years, she read the story of Hanukkah to her child and asked herself, “Why isn’t there a Hanukkah story set to Tchaikovsky's beloved Nutcracker Suite?" "Why aren't there more inclusive holiday performance opportunities for dancers from a variety of disciplines?" "Why aren't there more culturally diverse productions during the holiday season?"
It was only natural that her own dance company, World Dance Fusion, would be its launching point. Since her choreography utilizes over thirty of the world's cultural dance forms, she set out to be the first ever to apply authentic Spanish, Arabian, Chinese, Russian, Indian and Italian choreography to the second act’s diverse musical themes.
~ Katy Alaniz Rous
A dancer, choreographer, and a San Francisco native, Katy dreamed up this interpretation of The Nutcracker four years ago. Having recently discovered her own Jewish ancestry and having danced in The Nutcracker for years, she read the story of Hanukkah to her child and asked herself, “Why isn’t there a Hanukkah story set to Tchaikovsky's beloved Nutcracker Suite?" "Why aren't there more inclusive holiday performance opportunities for dancers from a variety of disciplines?" "Why aren't there more culturally diverse productions during the holiday season?"
It was only natural that her own dance company, World Dance Fusion, would be its launching point. Since her choreography utilizes over thirty of the world's cultural dance forms, she set out to be the first ever to apply authentic Spanish, Arabian, Chinese, Russian, Indian and Italian choreography to the second act’s diverse musical themes.
A Story of Love and Cultural Identity
The Jewish Nutcracker tells the story of Hanukkah, as Jews all over the world do when they gather to commemorate the rededication of the Temple. The full-length production opens with a Hanukkah party set in modern day San Francisco. The audience is then transported to the time of the Second Temple, where cultural dance explores Diaspora. The original Tchaikovsky score amplifies a true harmony of multiple dance forms, a variety of costumes, and travel through time and place.
San Francisco, home to many immigrants, is the ideal city for this fresh interpretation that explores diaspora and celebrates holiday tradition. Families, friends, and all are welcome to enjoy the warmth of good company, the beauty of dance, and a story of love amidst the struggle to embrace diversity, while retaining a cultural identity.
San Francisco, home to many immigrants, is the ideal city for this fresh interpretation that explores diaspora and celebrates holiday tradition. Families, friends, and all are welcome to enjoy the warmth of good company, the beauty of dance, and a story of love amidst the struggle to embrace diversity, while retaining a cultural identity.
