On a recent Tuesday in Charlotte, a man with a bald head and a mischievous expression slipped off his sneakers to lead two dozen dancers through a rehearsal. This was Mr. de Frutos, 54, who was revising his choreography for the American production. He was working on a scene involving Josh Hall as the clockmaker and Chelsea Dumas as the princess who wins his heart, guiding them through a dance in which they are reunited and the princess proposes marriage.

Caught up in the emotion, Ms. Dumas waited too long to pivot her body and missed a cue. She apologized to Mr. de Frutos, who reassured her: “It’s absolutely fine. It’s about getting the right feeling.” He grinned. “Now feel it faster.”

“Acting is action,” Mr. de Frutos likes to tell the dancers. He has taught them that when their movements tell the story, they don’t have to do anything with their faces.