Sexplorations: Ballet Meets Burlesque

Where else can you see a ballet dancer on toe shoes who twerks? Or hula hoop dancers twirling around a bed while a couple simulates doggie style? The “Slutcracker” is based on the 1890’s classical ballet, “Casse Noisette,” or “The Nutcracker.”  “While the story has been altered to chronicle Clara’s sexual empowerment,” say the producers, “the original structure of the ballet has been well-preserved and remains true to its artistic integrity.” Welcome to the naughty version.    The stage production, now in its 13th year, premiered at Somerville Theatre in Massachusetts, but due to the Covid-19 crisis, it has been moved online to a streaming platform. Closing night was always New Year’s Eve, but since the production is streaming, it will be extended through January. Slutcracker: The Movie features archival footage from the 2019 season and is a fun, entertaining sextravaganza of sex positivity. The sex radical dance troupe features all genders and people on the sexual spectrum: gays, straights, queers, a drag king and transpeople.  The company holds ongoing auditions and “welcomes all identities and expressions,” and “encourage diverse dancers, actors, and performers to participate.” I liked the “body acceptance” take-away aspect of the performance from a sexual politics aspect, which is something never seen in the ballet world, where dancers are almost anorexic.  Male and female dancers of all sizes including BBW’s, athletes, people of all fitness levels, professional dancers, and waif twinks danced the night away in The Magical Kingdom—“The Kingdom of Sexual Sweets.” The cast includes ballet dancers, belly dancers, burlesque performers, hula hoopers, flamenco, hip hop, and “pole” dancers. “‘The Slutcracker’ is offered by local artists from the Boston area’s many productions,” say the producers, with auditions in the summer. “Throw in rehearsals, add glitter, design and build costumes, prepare the stage with lighting designers, sound engineers, riggers, wranglers, and stage hands and it’s Slutmas Time.”       Mikel Toms, conductor of the Czech Orchestra who conducted the soundtrack (available on iTunes), says “The kaleidoscope of Tchaikovsky’s orchestration, the unfolding contours of his melody, are revealed in new colors by whips, strippers, clowns, bondage gear, and yes, by the dildos, too.”  In this show, the nutcracker Christmas toy is a dildo, and at one point in the performance, the curtains open up to reveal a gigantic, 15-foot dildo that everyone dances around. The show has someone for everyone: a girl/girl rope bondage dance, a BDSM dominatrix dance with choreographed whip cracking, a topless with pasties pirouetting ballerina, and a scene where a stripper pole appears at the end of the bed for a professional in-home live performance.   In an epic, climactic scene, the ballet manages to get a group sex scene in there, which manages to be PG 13, (although the audience age restriction is 18+), as dancers twirl around the sex party. “The Slutcracker” is a parody of the classic ballet, and  director/choreographer Vanessa White studied with a “big time ballet company,” she says, and danced in their annual ‘Nutcracker’ production. But “too soon” she was told that “I was too big” for them to bother with. “Not fat,” she says, just not “premium-grade toothpick” like most ballerinas.   I too danced in a ballet recital of the ‘Nutcracker’ when I was 10, and still have the sequined blue tutu that was my costume for the blue eyeshadow, which came to life from a drawer when everyone went to sleep, so maybe I should audition.  “The Nutcracker” ballet was based on the 1892 two-act production, which was called a “fairy ballet” at the time, and was adapted from a story written in 1816. A nutcracker Christmas toy comes alive, and after defeating the evil Mouse King, carries the story’s Clara to a magical kingdom filled with nutcracker dolls. The story begins on Christmas Eve. The streaming production is the perfect alternative to going out and seeing a live performance, and is a nice date night activity or something to watch with friends. From the romantic ballet dance with “The Dildo Prince” to the decadent Bacchanal scene, it’s a lot more throbbing to watch than “The Nutcracker.” “The Slutcracker” has a cult following worldwide, and offers official “Viva Sluts” hoodies on their site, slutcracker.com. It’s a real conversation starter while waiting in line.  The subversive Slutcracker is “A great hymn to Christmas and sexuality,” says film director John Waters, who hosted the live show one night. The Boston Herald said “For more than a decade this randy candy cane burlesque has made the holiday a lot brighter, and a lot dirtier.” A reviewer from the London Times said, “A gang of dry-humping clowns...adding to the enjoyment.” Click here to view the official trailer To order "The Slutcraker" for $12.99, check out SlutCracker.com.