ABT's "Whipped Cream" Choreographed by Alexei Ratmansky Curdles

Ratmansky's full-length ballet "Whipped Cream" had its share of whirlwind of fanciful dancing.  But, it was laden in absurd scenic design & accoutrements that spoiled what could have been a sumptuous delight.  "Whipped Cream" was originally created as "Schlagobers" with choreography by Henrich Kroller.  It premiered at the Vienna State Opera on May 9, 1924.  Ratmansky's ballet premiered on March 15, 2017.   Comparisons are construed between "Whipped Cream" & "The Nutcracker" which  premiered in St. Petersburg in 1892.  Both ballets use anthropomorphic confectionary items in a fantasy world meant to delight children & adults alike.  The classical music score is by Richard Strauss (b Germany 1864-1949).  In Act I a young boy & his friends are celebrating their first communion at a confectioner's shop where they're rewarded with sweets.  The dancers in all white pinafores frolic with childlike glee for the splendid treats bestowed upon them.  This set is a delightful strewn of confectionary containers in warm hues of pink.  The store owner is a jolly figure with an oversized head (an affectation used repeatedly).  The dancing is crisp & playful and sets a sweet tone.  The boy overindulges in whipped cream.  The scene ends with him writhing on the floor & removed on a stretcher, by 2 oversized figureheads.  After the store is closed,  the canisters open & the magical confectionary characters reveal themselves:  Princess Praline, Princess Tea Flower, Prince Coffee & Prince Cocoa.  All were exemplary in their roles.   The Princesses was sprightly & elegant and the Princes were regal & exuberant.  The Princess Swirl Girls added a lyrical charm.  Act I added a tasty treat with Marzipan Men, Sugarplum Men & Gingerbread Men. The highlight of the ballet was the Whipped Cream dancers.  They were all in white with flowing gauzy capes & white peaked caps.  Their dance captured an airy, luscious feeling that was sensational.  Act 2 has a darker comedic tone in the hospital.  The dancing is diminished behind the overpowering scenic design & distracting puppetry.  The nurses are armed with enormous needles they struggled to navigate & the dancing didn't co-ordinate.   A nurse's veil fell off & needed to be retrieved and thrown off-stage. The Dr. & his liquor consumption & liquor bottle trio were toxic to the production.  There were several sloppy collisions in both Acts.  The celebratory finale had too many bizarre creatures they stole attention from the dancing.  Elements of Ratmansky's brilliance did rise to the top.  But too many distracting ingredients spoiled the broth of the production.   The Nutcracker will stand the test of time.  "Whipped Cream" will likely fade away.