PHOTOS: 'Nutcracker Suite & Spicy' brings community of dancers together in annual tradition

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PHOTOS: 'Nutcracker Suite & Spicy' brings community of dancers together in annual tradition

黑料吃瓜网 Radio | By David Wurtzel

Published December 20, 2023 at 5:00 AM EST

Hip Hop dancer John 鈥淭ang Sauce鈥� Manselle-Young performing in Nutcracker Suite & Spicy at at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford. December 14, 2023. — Hip Hop dancer John 鈥淭ang Sauce鈥� Manselle-Young performs in Nutcracker Suite & Spicy at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, 黑料吃瓜网, on Dec. 14, 2023.

After performing in the Boston Ballet's Nutcracker for many years as a child, in 2009 Carolyn Paine had the idea to modernize the show and bring it closer to home in Hartford.

Fourteen years later, Nutcracker Suite & Spicy has become a tradition bringing a diverse community of local performers together each year to celebrate the holiday season. The performance blends dance styles that are not traditionally combined, such as ballet, hip hop, and tap to serve a fresh take on a holiday classic.

Tap dancer Will Jackson has performed in Nutcracker Suite & Spicy for 11 years. Born and raised in Hartford, he is now a full time professional dancer. Will has also performed internationally in China and Dubai with , where he performed for the Crown Prince and Princess royal family of Dubai in November 2021.

Hartford-based hip hop dancers Taris "Pop Tart" Clemons and John "Tang Sauce" Manselle-Young are a unique and dynamic duo both on stage and off. They can often be found performing together in the local dance crew "United Outkast."

Classically trained dancer Kayleigh Crocetto had her first professional experience in Nutcracker Suite & Spicy 13 years ago. Today, she owns her own dance studio, , in Middlefield, 黑料吃瓜网.

Performances of Nutcracker Suite & Spicy were held Dec. 15 through Dec. 18, 2023, at in Hartford. See photos from the performance below.

Hip Hop dancer John 鈥淭ang Sauce鈥� Manselle-Young plays guitar while Will Jackson tap dances in a dressing room at at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford before performing in Nutcracker Suite & Spicy on Dec. 14, 2023.

Lee Schanfein travels to 黑料吃瓜网 once a year since 2009 from Montana to partake in Nutcracker Suite & Spicy. December 14, 2023. — Since 2009, Lee Schanfein has annually traveled to 黑料吃瓜网 from Montana to partake in Nutcracker Suite & Spicy. Dec. 14, 2023.

Taris 鈥淧op Tart鈥� Clemons gets a massage before performing on stage at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford before Nutcracker Suite & Spicy. December 14, 2023.

Kayleigh Crocetto puts her makeup on before taking the part of Clara in Nutcracker Suite & Spicy at The Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford. December 14, 2023.

Nutcracker Suite & Spicy is back at The Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford. This modern version has been performed in Hartford since 2009 and is a mash up of many styles that are rarely seen together. Such as ballet and hip hop. — Taris "Pop Tart" Clemons flips over John "Tang Sauce" Manselle-Young at center stage in Nutcracker Suite & Spicy at The Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford on Dec. 14, 2023.

Taris 鈥淧op Tart鈥� Clemons performs a toe touch on stage at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford before Nutcracker Suite & Spicy. December 14, 2023. — Taris 鈥淧op Tart鈥� Clemons performs a toe touch on stage at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford before Nutcracker Suite & Spicy on Dec. 14, 2023.

Hip Hop dancers John 鈥淭ang Sauce鈥� Manselle-Young and Taris 鈥淧op Tart鈥� Clemons on stage at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford before Nutcracker Suite & Spicy. December 14, 2023. — Hip Hop dancers John 鈥淭ang Sauce鈥� Manselle-Young and Taris 鈥淧op Tart鈥� Clemons on stage at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford before Nutcracker Suite & Spicy on Dec. 14, 2023.

Kayleigh Crocetto in Nutcracker Suite & Spicy at The Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford. — Kayleigh Crocetto in Nutcracker Suite & Spicy at The Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford on Dec. 14, 2023.

Dancer Lucie Shultz leaps through the air during a performance of Nutcracker Suite & Spicy at The Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford. December 14, 2023.

Kayleigh Crocetto in Nutcracker Suite & Spicy at The Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford. December 14, 2023. — Kayleigh Crocetto in Nutcracker Suite & Spicy at The Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford on Dec. 14, 2023.

Performers watch on from the wings of the stage at The Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford as they await the next scene in Nutcracker Suite & Spicy. December 14, 2023.

Tap dancer Will Jackson on stage in Nutcracker Suite & Spicy at The Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford. December 14, 2023. — Tap dancer Will Jackson playing a soldier on stage in Nutcracker Suite & Spicy at The Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford on Dec. 14, 2023.

Tap dancer Will Jackson holds a Nutcracker on stage in Nutcracker Suite & Spicy at The Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford. December 14, 2023. — Tap dancer Will Jackson holds a Nutcracker on stage during a holiday party scene in Nutcracker Suite & Spicy at The Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford. Dec. 14, 2023.

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