Like a fine wine, each year this show just gets better and better Company XIV has made a name for itself in the New York City nightlife scene. Known for its remarkable reinterpretations of classic tales, this holiday season Company XIV returns with its annual retelling of The Nutcracker Rouge. And to commemorate another year of this amazing show, Company XIV hosted Tony Award Winning Actor J. Harrison Ghee (Some Like it Hot) to host this year’s opening night performance.
The Nutcracker Rouge’s story takes inspiration from the classic tale of The Nutcracker. However, in typical Company XIV fashion, this tale is twisted into a sexy burlesque masterpiece. The story begins with the infamous nutcracker doll that transports the main character into the land of sweets. Here, she has to traverse this realm in order to find her way back home. But in this reinterpretation, each character in the land of sweets has a sexy and twisted burlesque ego. Incorporating a number of performance styles and techniques, you are taken into a land where these characters perform stunts like aerial acrobatics, contortionism, and much more. And along with those circus stunts, you will be immersed in some of the most technical ballet, opera, and singing you can find in New York City.
And this year’s show brings back some familiar faces to the stage as well as some new talent that we were impressed by. Storm Marrero is front and center as the narrator of this show. For those that don’t know, Storm is one of the most talented singers we have ever seen. The power in her voice commands the entire venue, and the vocal range that she captivates the audience as she covers any song thrown her way. Another standout performance comes from Nolan where they perform in the air, suspended by just a few ropes. Nolan swings, flips, and contorts throughout the entire performance and leaves the audience in complete and utter awe. And some of the newer standouts include Uys du Buisson performing a circus ring act, Daniel Darling doing a sexy pole routine, and TJ performing an intricate contortion act that we have never seen before.
There is nothing off limits at a Company XIV show and that’s what makes these shows so magical. We cannot recommend the Nutcracker Rouge enough and this show is definitely something to experience if you want to immerse yourself in real New York City nighttime entertainment. You can purchase tickets here and even upgrade your experience for an even more enjoyable (and boozier) time.
