Sweet dreams: Sparrow Dance Productions to put on its version of 'The Nutcracker'

Rio Rancho’s Sparrow Dance Productions is bringing “The Nutcracker and the Land of the Sweets Trading Company” to Albuquerque.

Three performances will be held from Friday, Dec. 20, to Sunday, Dec. 22, at the African American Performing Arts Center, 310 San Pedro Drive NE.

Christina Daly, owner and director of Sparrow Dance Productions, wants her show to pay homage to France’s King Louis XIV, who is credited with initiating the creation of Académie Royale de Danse, the first dance institution established in the Western world.

“I really liked the idea that the ‘Land of the Sweets Trading Company’ isn’t some far off land, but that it really represents for Clara — and for people — to grow into their legacy and have the power to create magic in their lives,” Daly said.

Last year, Sparrow Dance put on “The Nutcracker” at Rio Rancho High School, but this year they had to switch venues because of an increase in cast members.

“The theaters in Rio Rancho do not accommodate for a larger cast,” Daly said. “Last year, we had 47 dancers. This year, we have 65 dancers. (It is) so cool!”

Leading the show is Marissa Montano as Clara, Joe Herrera as the Nutcracker, Alexandra Anghel as the Sugar Plum Fairy, Steven Higgins as Magician Drosselmeyer and Erin Foster as Corps de Ballet.

“It’s incomparable to any production that I have ever danced in,” Foster said. “I love Sparrow so much because of this very deliberate emphasis on inclusivity and diversity.”

Foster, who is from Baltimore, Maryland, has been dancing since her youth and has toured nationally and internationally.

“This is one of my first years in a lead role, and in pointe shoes,” said Montano, who is a junior at Rio Rancho High School. “This is my first full-length production in pointe shoes, so it’s kind of like a big debut for me.”

Montano dealt with some injuries and health-related issues that prolonged her debut on the pointe shoes that help dancers dance on their toes.

“I spent a lot of time in a class called ‘Pre-pointe,’” Montano said. “In that class, we work specifically targeting the foot and ankle muscles to prepare. Being in a production is awesome. One of my favorite parts for sure is the community and the people.”

Last year, Higgins saw Sparrow’s “Nutcracker” at RRHS with his wife, Mary Marshall, who he was married to for 29 years.

“My involvement really starts with my wife, Mary,” Higgins said. “In the spirit of full disclosure, Mary lost her battle with heart disease last month ... We had a great adventure together. Mary was a dancer.”

Marshall was a dancer with the corps de ballet at Radio City Music Hall in New York City from 1963 to 1968. She also performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade during that time period.

“Since my wife’s death, this has been a real lifeline for me,” Higgins said. “I am humbled by the love and compassion that all of these cast of characters have shown me. And, it is something that I am happy to be a part of.”