Sugar plum dreams come true for 2 'Nutcracker' performers who danced in same ballet as kids
NEW YORK -- A cherished holiday tradition returns on Friday -- The New York City Ballet's production of "The Nutcracker."
And for two dancers, this year's performances will be especially sweet because they danced in the same ballet as children.
So many young dancers dream of becoming professionals, especially the children of New York City Ballet's "The Nutcracker," who experience the glamour of one of the world's greatest ballet companies at an early age.
But it's a long, hard road from child performer to professional dancer and very few make it.
But meet Rommie Tomasini and McKenzie Soares, two young members of New York City Ballet's Corps de Ballet, where they can be seen performing in George Balanchine's "Theme and Variations" and "Scotch Symphony."
But they started out as small children with big dreams in another Balanchine ballet - "The Nutcracker."
"Nutcracker was the point where I was like, yeah, this is what I want to do...just being on stage was so awesome," Soares said.
Tomasini agreed.
"It really was my aha moment, that I want to be that one day," Tomasini said.
Through the years, Tomasini was the bunny, a polichinelle and Marie while Soares was a boy in the party scene and a toy soldier.
Both were asked what their childhood self would say now that they are professional dancers.
"I think she would be crying, she would be so happy and excited," Tomasini said.
"As a child, it was all we wanted, so for our hard work to pay off, it's a dream come true," Soares said.
The pair has grown up together in the studio and on the stage.
But most all the other children they danced with at the School of American Ballet, from where the Nutcracker children are cast, are no longer around.
"It's a very specific type of dedication and discipline that I feel and at a certain age, you have to choose," Tomasini said.
This Nutcracker, Tomasini and McKenzie will dance a variety of adult roles, like hot chocolate and Chinese tea.
Every November when that familiar Tchaikovsky score once again fills the rehearsal studios, they are reminded of why they chose to dance and realize their sugar plum dreams.
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