Louis DeFelice

Cavalier

Louis DeFelice trained under Stanislav Issaev and graduated from the Kirov Academy. He has performed in more than 20 countries in a wide range of classical and contemporary works. Most recently, he was a company member with New English Ballet Theatre in London, where he originated roles in ballets and operas choreographed by Valentino Zucchetti and performed repertoire by Jenna Lee and Matthew Ball. Previously, he danced with New Jersey Ballet as a principal in Robbins’ Fancy Free and a soloist in Balanchine’s Rubies. Originally from Columbia, South Carolina, Louis now lives in London and regularly tours throughout Europe and the United States as a guest artist, including in productions of The Nutcracker and Swan Lake. He is also the co-founder of the dance wear company Barre Trash.

Mari Takayama

Sugar Plum Fairy

Mari Takayama is a professional ballet dancer based in New York City. She has performed principal and soloist roles with a variety of companies including Ajkun Ballet Theatre, Eglevsky Ballet, Connecticut Ballet, City Dance NY, Neville Dance Theatre, and American Repertory Ballet. Her classical repertory includes Kitri in Don Quixote, the Sugar Plum Fairy and Clara in The Nutcracker, and Lucy Westenra in Dracula. Since 2022, she has also performed as a national guest artist, and she was a featured performer in the US national tour of The Thorn (2024–2025).

ACT 1

THE STORY

ACT 2

It’s Christmas Eve, and Clara Stahlbaum attends her family’s holiday celebration where she receives a magical Nutcracker doll from her uncle, Drosselmeyer. Later that night, the toys come to life, and Clara finds herself caught in a battle between the Nutcracker and the Mouse King. After the battle, the Nutcracker transforms into a prince, and Clara journeys with him through an enchanted winter wonderland where they meet the Snow Queen. The Snow Queen gifts Clara a beautiful sleigh to take her to the Land of Sweets.

Clara arrives in the magical Land of Sweets, where she is welcomed by the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. Delighted to hear of the Mouse King’s defeat, the Sugar Plum Fairy and her friends celebrate with a festival. The kingdom comes alive with dances inspired by sweets and cultures from around the world. As the festivities unfold, Clara discovers the beauty and wonder of this enchanted kingdom before returning home, carrying with her the unforgettable memories of her extraordinary Christmas Eve adventure.