Why Boston Ballet Soloist Lawrence Rines Munro Loves 'The Nutcracker'

If it's the holiday season in Boston, it is time for "The Nutcracker," one of the jewels of the Boston Ballet repertory in an acclaimed production by the company's artistic director Mikko Nissinen. The annual production arrives at the Citizen Bank Opera House on November 25. (For more information, visit the Boston Ballet website. The company has been performing Tchaikovsky's festive ballet since 1958, save for 2020 when the pandemic canceled the production. In 2004, Nissinen presented his "Nutcracker," which, re-envisioned and re-choreographed in 2012, received critical acclaim.

For company member Lawrence Rines Munro, it is an opportunity to return to ballet as a soloist in two roles: the Harlequin Doll and the lead in the spectacular "Russian Dance." He joined Boston Ballet II in 2009 and became an artist of the Company in 2011. He was promoted to second soloist in 2017 and to soloist in 2019. He trained at the School of American Ballet and The Rock School for Dance Education. EDGE spoke to Rines Munro about his dance career and why he loves "The Nutcracker" every season.

slug>EDGE: What is your earliest memory of being drawn to dance?

Lawrence Rines Munro: I started in gymnastics when I was four years old. We had to take dance classes to help with coordination. Around 10 years old, I had a very intense growth spurt, so gymnastics ended up being very painful for me. I didn't really have a physical outlet, so my mom suggested that I stick with the dance. I had a teacher that thought I had the build for ballet, and I never looked back.

EDGE: Tell us about your journey to the Boston Ballet?

Lawrence Rines Munro: I attended the Rock School for Dance Education in Philadelphia until I was 16 and then transferred to a ballet boarding school in New York City called the School of American Ballet. I did not get into the NYC Ballet but did get a job with the Boston Ballet.

EDGE: You were promoted to soloist back in 2019. What does it require to become a soloist?

Lawrence Rines Munro: It's basically completing all the ranks in Boston Ballet. Next is principal. It's been a slow journey for me, but I have always trusted the decisions of our artistic director. I am very lucky and happy with my career path here at the ballet.

EDGE: What is it like to perform in the Citizen's Bank Opera House?

Lawrence Rines Munro: It's amazing! It's been my home for my whole career so far. I think it's one of the most beautiful opera houses in the country. It definitely has this old school charm. I love the European opulent feeling of it. I love that it is located in near Downtown Crossing. It's really a beautiful hidden gem.

EDGE: What role will you be performing?

Lawrence Rines Munro: In Act I, I will be the Harlequin Doll, which is a role I've performed since my first apprentice year. Act II, I will be performing the lead Russian (in the "Russian Dance") and appear in the "Chinese Dance."

EDGE: Having to perform three different roles, are there any challenges?

Lawrence Rines Munro: I believe I have performed all of the roles in "The Nutcracker" expect for the Snow King and the Grand Pas de Deux. The great thing about being in "The Nutcracker" is that it happens every year, so I have this special mental cabinet for it. The dance steps are always in the back of my mind. All I have to do is pull them out every October for rehearsals and then perform them in December. I don't actually remember what it's like to learn all of these steps because I've been doing it for so long.

EDGE: Having performed many of the roles, do you have a favorite?

Lawrence Rines Munro: Since it was my first featured role when I joined the company, I have to choose the Harlequin Doll.

EDGE: "The Nutcracker" has a rich legacy here in Boston since 1958. Why do you think it continues to remain a family tradition for so many?

Lawrence Rines Munro: Its such an amazing production. It really kicks of the holiday season in the city of Boston. For most children it is their first interaction with ballet, so that makes it even more special. There is just so much to love about "The Nutcracker" – the dancing, the music, and the growing Christmas tree.

EDGE: I'd love to see a ballet about a gay relationship. Do you think the Boston Ballet is ready for that?

Lawrence Rines Munro: For sure! Our artistic director, Mikko Nissinen, is always reminding us that Boston Ballet is the company of the future. We are not a museum. We always present live art of the times. I do think that Boston audiences are ready for it and I hope we get the opportunity to perform something like that.

EDGE: How do you celebrate the holidays?

Lawrence Rines Munro: Since I don't have the opportunity to go home for either Thanksgiving or Christmas, I celebrate the holidays with friends and dancers. We always do Friendsgiving, and we'll always do some sort of Christmas celebration with each other. I have a group of people that I've been celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas with for the last ten years and I love it. In the future when I'm not performing in "The Nutcracker," it will be very nice to be with my parents for the holidays.

Mikko Nissinen's "The Nutcracker" by the Boston Ballet runs Nov. 25 - Dec. 31 at the Citizens Bank Opera House, 539 Washington Street, Boston, MA. For more information on the Boston Ballet and to purchase tickets to see "The Nutcracker" visit, www.bostonballet.org