‘The Hip Hop Nutcracker’ on tour at The National had vibes on vibes

“Let me be the first to tell you… this is not a normal Nutcracker,” declares the charismatic MC Kurtis Blow, who took the stage at The National Theatre to open The Hip Hop Nutcracker. It truly wasn’t the humdrum; it was an evening best summed up as vibes on vibes on vibes. The Tony and Olivier Award-nominated spectacle blends Tchaikovsky’s timeless compositions with hip-hop dance forms, all set against the backdrop of New Year’s Eve in Uptown, USA. The story loosely follows the classic Nutcracker plot but trades ballet slippers for sneakers and brings the street party to the stage in the most vibrant way possible. After a riotous “3…2…1…HAPPY NEW YEAR!” countdown, stunning projections designed by Hana S. Kim — showing the Brooklyn Bridge and other parts of New York City — flash by and end in front of Drosselmeyer’s Toys, which serves as the central set piece. Jaylin Sanders, in her skully and varsity jacket, appears on stage to deliver a standout, emotionally charged violin performance, blending classical technique with hip-hop beats right before the start of an annual uptown holiday street party. The ensemble dancers, dressed in vibrant, urban-inspired costumes by Samantha C. Jones and Katy Freeman,...