The Holidays are upon us in Philadelphia! Each of us has our own holiday traditions that we love to share. One of our absolute favorites is the unforgettable performance by our very own Philadelphia Boys Choir and the Pennsylvania Ballet in The Nutcracker. It is a real treat, particularly because it’s right across the street at the country’s oldest opera house, The Academy of Music.
Like most of the characters preparing for The Nutcracker, the Sugar Plum Fairy is a very busy lady – but we had the opportunity to sit down and catch up with the sugary celeb herself! When we met with her, she was very down to Earth, but composed herself like the true it-girl that she is, Cosmopolitan in hand. Her bright red nails matched her drink and her shoes perfectly.
Estia: Who is the Sugar Plum Fairy?
Sugar Plum Fairy: Well, first of all, I am the original inspiration behind Peter Illyitch Tschaikovsky’s famous Nutcracker Suite. There is only one Sugar Plum Fairy!
E: How do you stay so thin living in the Land of the Sweets?
SPF: It’s incredibly easy actually! Having frolicked among sweets my whole life, I have learned self-control. They are awfully delicious and beautiful to look at, but too much and I begin dancing like I have two left feet. I still really like sugar though, don’t get me wrong.
E: I heard you and Robert Pattinson danced a “beautiful Pas De Deux” last summer instead of you and the Cavalier?
SPF: That’s not true! It was actually Taylor Lautner. I can understand how you would be confused. Taylor is incredible, he knows how to make a fairy feel safe. It had to end with him, however, because of my sworn allegiance to the Cavalier. After all, what kind of finale would it be if there was no extravagant dance at the end of The Nutcracker!?
E: You are all over the place!
SPF: Excuse me?
E: I mean, you’ve been everywhere. You looked amazing at the Kardashian wedding, your beach photos with Ashton Kutcher are legendary, and you have been seen eating at Estia with Bradley Cooper. As a bona fide celeb, what do you think about all the tabloid reports?
SPF: As the Sugar Plum Fairy, I have a reputation and a lifestyle to uphold. I don’t pay the press any mind. My fans love and support me and that’s all that matters.
E: That’s a great way to think. With The Nutcracker’s first show coming up, can you tell us what goes on behind the scenes?
SPF: Well, most of that is confidential! But since you asked, I can tell you we have a lot of fun – and I absolutely adore everyone I work with. We’re always working hard, but playing harder!
E: Sounds like a great bunch. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
SPF: Mostly, I like to relax and just veg out with the Cavalier, of course! I like to go out and have cocktails with my girls too. But really, I just love to be pampered – getting my nails done in the shades of the season always brightens my day and keeps me feeling great! (Her shimmery red nails create a reflection on a nearby wall). I’ve just gotten into yoga, too. I like it a lot so far!
E: Wow, sounds like you’ve got the right idea. Now that you’re in Philadelphia again, what are you looking forward to most? I heard you love frequenting the G Lounge after dinner with us at Estia.
SPF: I love Estia! Your fish is delicious and I am addicted to your Estia chips. When it’s time for the Cavalier and me to settle down, I think I’d like to have my wedding at Estia.
E: We’d be honored! Of course.
SPF: I’ve seriously considered it. Life on the road can be so lonely sometimes. (looks at hand) My hand’s a little too light for that to happen yet though. A girl can dream.
E: Indeed. Thank you Sugar Plum Fairy.
SPF: Thank you!
Now that you’ve gotten to know Sugar Plum Fairy—in a very unique way—you can go see the her in The Nutcracker this month. Tickets are available online. Below, we’ve included a trailer of the performance. Make sure you stop in to see us after the show!
Pennsylvania Ballet George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™
Where: Academy of Music, 1420 Locust Street
When: December 10-31
Cost: Tickets start at $20
More info: www.paballet.org and www.kimmelcenter.org/events