Date: Fri 12-Dec-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: SHANNO

Quick Words:

IMAX-Nutcracker-Maritime

Full Text:

The Latest IMAX Release: Hoffmann's Nutcracker Is Bigger Than Ever!

(with cut)

BY SHANNON HICKS

NORWALK -- There is no way E.T.A. Hoffmann had any idea what would become of

his short story, The Nutcracker And The Mouse King , when he set pen (quill?)

to paper nearly two-and-a-half centuries ago. Hoffmann was a trained lawyer,

but loved writing and music, both as creator, composer and critic.

His Nutcracker short story was published along with other short stories he had

written in compilations with names like Tales of Fantasy , Night Stories and

Elixir of the Devils . While one essay on Mozart's Don Giovanni established

Hoffmann as a serious critic, his original work was dismissed at the time as

undisciplined, wild and fantastic.

Somewhere along the way, though, the world took on a different view of one of

Hoffmann's stories. With music by Peter Tchaikovsky, The Nutcracker ballet was

first performed in St. Petersburg's Maryinski Theatre in 1892. Since then, it

has been performed by every major (and minor) ballet company in the world,

usually right around the holidays.

Today, no Christmas season would be complete without 100 or so different

performances of The Nutcracker in some form available to select from every

weekend. Whether a live ballet performance, a television broadcast or a

concert of the music, artistic companies try to make their Nutcracker

different from everyone else's.

Now a Christmas classic, The Nutcracker tells the story of young Clara, who

receives a Nutcracker statue for Christmas from "Uncle" Drosselmeier. During a

battle with a Mouse King and his soldiers, the nutcracker statue comes to life

and saves Clara from the mice. Nutcracker and his troops fight Mouse King and

his soldiers, Clara ends up saving the day, and Nutcracker returns to his

original form: a handsome prince. Clara becomes heroine for a day, visiting

the prince's enchanted kingdom and being honored by its residents.

The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk just may have topped everyone this year. The

SoNo-based museum is home to Connecticut's only IMAX theatre, which shows

films on a huge screen with a Surround Sound‘ system that rivals any outdoor

stadium. This year, the Nutcracker is visiting the IMAX theatre, and he is

probably bigger than ever this time around.

Imagine a six-story tall Nutcracker. Yikes! As daunting as such a huge

Nutcracker may sound, children of all ages will love watching the 40-minute

feature. IMAX films are always entertaining, and IMAX Nutcracker follows in

that vein. The IMAX production is set in present-day London, adding a

contemporary spin to the storytelling.

The film moves the IMAX film productions from its traditional documentary

arena to narrative dramas set against music. The Nutcracker film is also the

Imax Corporation's largest production to date. Making the film incorporated a

cast of 150 performers and an equal number of costumes, and nine complex sets.

Among the members of the cast is Miriam Margolyes ( The Age of Innocence ) as

Sugar Plum, the palace pastry cook. Heathcote Williams, a noted British actor

( Orlando , Looking For Richard ) and playwright, portrays the eccentric Uncle

Drosselmeier. (Incidentally, many critics believe Hoffmann based the peculiar

Drosselmeier on himself.)

The film's center characters are portrayed by eight-year old Londoner Lotte

Johnson (Clara) and 14-year old London student Benjamin Hall (Nutcracker).

Hoffmann's story has been around for years, and is a favorite for all ages.

Yet for those who are unfamiliar with the story, or maybe have forgotten parts

of it, a movie version such as The IMAX Nutcracker is the perfect introduction

or a gentle reminder. The IMAX version is not only huge in scope, but it is

primarily a non-ballet adaptation. Tchaikovsky's familiar score provides the

soundtrack for the movie, and there is the traditional ballet solo by the

Sugar Plum Fairy, but for the most past this is a feature film. That in itself

should be an attraction to those who dislike ballet, or would just enjoy

watching a holiday feature on the big screen. The really big screen.

Hoffmann's peers thought his original work was wild and fantastic two

centuries ago. Imagine what they would have done had he tried to explain a

six-story tall Nutcracker.

Through December 24, screenings will be Monday through Friday at 11 am and 7

pm; Saturday and Sunday, 11 am, and 1, 3, 4 and 7 pm. There is no showing on

Christmas Day. Screenings resume December 26 through January 4, daily at 11

am, and 1, 3, 4 and 7 pm.

Tickets are $8.50 for adults, $7.75 for seniors, and $6.75 for children ages

2-12, and are available directly at the aquarium or through any TicketMaster

outlet. The Maritime Aquarium is at 10 North Water Street in Norwalk;

telephone 852-0700.