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Cuckoo
for ’Crackers?
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ABT’s Paloma Herrera
dances a Sugarplum Fairy that’ll knock your toe shoes off.
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Those sounds you
hear aren’t just the rumbling of your tummy from turkey and trimmings
or the stampede of Christmas shoppers headed to the mall, that’s the
sound of the hordes of Nutcracker Princes, Sugarplum Fairies, waltzing
flowers and dancing mice descending upon us from now until Christmas.
While jaded critics may groan at the prospect of yet another production
of The Nutcracker, balletomanes welcome the chance to compare
various versions and to survey local companies’ upcoming crop of pre-professional
dancers. Even folks who think they don’t like ballet find it hard not
to be beguiled by the exquisite, familiar Tchaikovsky score and nostalgic
Christmas celebration that is the setting for a magical journey. And
kids? It’s like a pop-up storybook come to life.
The big event is
the return of American Ballet Theater’s production from artistic director
Kevin McKenzie, which was unveiled at Hollywood’s Kodak Theater last
year and returns to the Kodak as well as the Orange County Performing
Arts Center. It’s lavish, if occasionally puzzling, but perhaps a second
viewing will clarify the unusual addition of dancing unicorns. Announced
stars include flamboyant Paloma Herrera, sparkling Julie Kent, rising
star Michele Wiles, delicate Irina Dvorovenko, elegant Maxim Belotserkovsky
and always spectacular Angel Corella. Sascha Radetsky, the heartthrob
from the film Center Stage, is among those dancing the Nutcracker
Prince. We promise finalized casting in upcoming Dance listings.
For the cost of
the last balcony at ABT, one can have the best tickets at several regional
troupes that consistently develop talent for export to New York and
other cities with resident ballet companies. Westside Ballet (first
out of the gate this weekend), Pasadena Dance Theater, Ballet Pacifica
and the Long Beach Ballet Arts Center fall into this category.
In addition, an
array of local ballet schools stretching from Santa Clarita to Downey,
Santa Barbara to San Pedro offer productions that make it possible to
see The Nutcracker without leaving the neighborhood. Finally,
several productions riff on the idea of The Nutcracker, including
The Chocolate Nutcracker at the Ivar, and Nutcracker in the
City, a version sponsored by the L.A. Recreation and Parks Department
featuring a variety of cross-cultural dance styles.
Another large touring
company, Moscow Classical Ballet, has performed here for several years,
but its scheduled return at Cal State L.A.’s Luckman was cancelled.
Still, with this season’s bounty of The Nutcracker at a range
of polish, prices and locations, there should be something for everyone,
maybe even Scrooge-like dance critics.
—Ann
Haskins
L.A. Preparatory
& Performing Arts Center’s Chocolate Nutcracker at Ivar Theater,
1605 Ivar Ave., Hlywd.; Fri.-Sat., Nov. 29-30, 7 p.m.; Sun., Dec. 1,
2 p.m.; Tues.-Thurs., Dec. 3-5, 10 a.m. & 1 p.m.; $30 & $20.
(323) 735-0762.
Westside Ballet
at Pepperdine University Smothers Theater, 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy.,
Malibu; Sat., Nov. 30, 2 & 7 p.m.; Sun., Dec. 1, 1 & 5 p.m.;
$25, $15 children 12 & under. (213) 365-3500. Also at Wadsworth
Theater, Wilshire Blvd. at the 405 fwy., W.L.A.; Sat., Dec. 14, 2 &
7 p.m.; Sun., Dec. 15, 1 & 5 p.m.; $25, $15 children 12 & under.
(213) 365-3500.
American Ballet
Theater at the Kodak Theater, Hollywood Blvd. at Highland Ave.,
Hlywd.; Fri.-Sun., Dec. 6-8, & Tues.-Sat., Dec. 10-14, 7:30 p.m.;
Sat.-Sun., Dec. 7-8 & 14-15, 2 p.m.; $82-$17. (213) 365-3500. Also
at Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa
Mesa; Wed.-Fri., Dec. 18-20, 8 p.m.; Sat., Dec. 21, 2 & 8 p.m.;
Sun., Dec. 22, 2 & 7:30 p.m.; $75-$20. (213) 365-3500.
Pasadena Dance
Theater at San Gabriel Civic Auditorium, 320 Mission Dr.; Sat.-Sun.,
Dec. 7-8, 2 p.m.; Sat., Dec. 14, 2 & 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Dec. 21, &
Sun., Dec. 15 & 22, 2 p.m.; $35 & $28, $22 seniors, $12 children.
(626) 308-2868.
Festival Ballet
Theater at Cal State Long Beach, Carpenter Theater, 6200 Atherton
St.; Sat., Dec. 7, 2 & 8 p.m.; Sun., Dec. 8, 2 p.m.; $22, $18 seniors
& students. (562) 985-7000.
L.A. City Recreation
Department at L.A. Theater Center, 514 S. Spring St., dwntwn.; Sat.,
Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., Dec. 8, 2 p.m.; $10, $7 children 11 years &
younger. (310) 837-8116.
Pacific Festival
Ballet at Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, Fred Kavli Theater, 2100
Thousand Oaks Blvd.; Wed.-Thurs., Dec. 11-12, 9:30 & 11:30 a.m.,
$7.50; Sat., Dec. 14, 2 & 7 p.m., & Sun., Dec. 15, 2 & 6
p.m., $34-$19. (213) 480-3232.
Ballet Pacifica
at Irvine Barclay Theater, 4242 Campus Dr.; Fri.-Sun., Dec. 13-15,
& Tues.-Mon., Dec. 17-23, 7:30 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., Dec. 14-15, &
Tues.-Tues., Dec. 17-24, 2:30 p.m.; $27, $25 seniors, $23 children.
(949) 854-4646 or (213) 365-3500.
Southern California
Dance Theater at Downey Civic Theater, 8435 Firestone Blvd.; Fri.,
Dec. 13 & 20, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Dec. 14 & 21, 2:30 p.m.; $18.50-$13.50.
(562) 496-1766.
San Pedro Ballet
at El Camino College Center for the Arts, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd.,
Torrance; Fri., Dec. 20, 8 p.m.; Sat., Dec. 21, 2 & 8 p.m.; Sun.,
Dec. 22, 2 p.m.; $26-$23, $12 children 12 & under. (800) 832-2787
or (310) 329-5345.
Long Beach Ballet
Arts Center at Long Beach Terrace Theater, 300 E. Ocean Blvd.; Sat.,
Dec. 21, 2 & 8 p.m.; Sun., Dec. 22, 2 p.m.; $28-$16, $18-$10 children
12 & under. Info, (562) 426-4622; tickets, (213) 480-3232.
OC
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