A young ballerina’s life is full of stones – stepping stones and milestones. One special milestone is the role of Sugar Plum Fairy in Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” – and with New York City Ballet, that means George Balanchine’s version, which on Saturday afternoon, Kathryn Morgan, a 19-year-old member of the corps, danced for the first time.
Although she’s only been with the ballet for little more than year, she’s already danced Juliet in Peter Martins’ “Romeo and Juliet,” so her beguilingly expressive debut here hardly came as a surprise.
Beautifully partnered by Gonzalo Garcia, she was poised, elegant, only the tiniest (and wholly natural) bit nervous, and gave every indication of an emerging star.
Another member of the corps making a big debut was Savannah Lowery as a handsomely effective, very musical Dewdrop Fairy leading the Waltz of the Flowers.
Two young men also stood out: Allen Peiffer, leading the Candy Canes, and Matthew Renko – not yet even a member of the company – showing remarkable aplomb in the Chinese dance.
THE NUTCRACKER
New York City Ballet, New York State Theater, Lincoln Center; (212) 870-5570. Through Dec. 30.