New twists breathe life into NBT’s ‘Nutcracker’

Marilyn LaRocque

Friday, Dec. 20, 2002 | 9:32 a.m.

What: "Nutcracker" by Nevada Ballet Theatre, accompanied by members of Las Vegas Philharmonic.

When: 8 p.m. through Monday; also 2 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday.

Where: The Rio's Samba Theatre.

Tickets: $27 to $75; children and senior discounts available.

Rating (out of five stars): ****

Information: (702) 252-7776.

Spectacular sets and costumes, delightful dancing and a sprightly pace produced an enjoyable Nevada Ballet Theatre opening night of "Nutcracker" at Samba Theatre at The Rio on Thursday.

Members of Las Vegas Philharmonic, under the baton of Music Director Harold Weller, provided expert accompaniment and gave the dancers strong rhythmic support.

Artistic Director Bruce Steivel completely rechoreographed the work shortly after becoming NBT's artistic director. Although in its fifth season, the production projects a new image with the extraordinary sets and costumes designed last year by Paris-based Russian designer Alexandre Vassiliev.

Steivel added more children to the first act this year, not surprising since the NBT Academy enrollment has mushroomed to more than 400 students.

Tchaikovsky wrote an overture for "Nutcracker," which Steivel incorporated into the ballet action.

Dressed in luxurious velvets and silks, with diplomatic sashes and tiaras, guests strolled through the town square on their way to the gala party, circa 1900, at the Russian Embassy. Children played in the snow and, at the last moment, Grandma, bedecked in furs, arrived in her elaborate coach.

The audience was immediately caught up in the festivities of "Nutcracker."

At the party, there were so many things going on onstage you were never bored. Grandma quaffed champagne, while Grandpa sneaked a more potent drink.

The girls danced with dolls they received as gifts. The boys rambunctiously ran around tooting toy horns and trumpets.

The children were charming, well-trained, earnest, talented. The adults had their chance in the spotlight performing period dances with stately poise and style.

The highlight of the fete was the arrival of Herr Drosselmeyer, danced by John Surdick, who appeared in a fireworks cloud of smoke, one of several pyrotechnic effects Steivel employed. Drosselmeyer has magical powers. He gave Fritz, the son of the household, danced by Aaron Sampson, a stuffed-mouse king.

To Clara, the daughter, portrayed by Monica Moazez, he presented a nutcracker. One of the highlights of the ballet was a battle between the mouse king and his troops and the nutcracker and his soldiers.

Drosselmeyer introduced mechanical dolls, whimsically and delightfully interpreted by Tess Hooley and Zeb Note. They were the first of the "specialty dancers," whose talents shone. It was also Drosselmeyer who spirited Clara and Fritz to the Land of the Sugar Plum Fairy.

The names of the night's dancers were listed on a board in the lobby. "It's flu season," Steivel explained, "and between that and injuries, we're never sure who is going to be able to dance."

This luck of the draw worked against the level of performance of major roles on opening night.

Long-limbed Clarice Geissel was a graceful, elegant, technically adept Sugar Plum Fairy. However, her dancing lacked emotional appeal. She was also a brave woman; her partner, Baris Erhan as the Cavalier, almost dropped her in one leaping move.

Dereck Townsend as the Snow King also wasn't up to his role, lifting the lissome Snow Queen, Elena Shokhina, like a barbell that was too heavy.

This was, in fact, a night in which the children, the "vignette" dancers and the corps de ballet excelled and provided special moments that eclipsed the disappointments. Heather Haar, Aragon Berner and Steven Bretztaff performed an amazing Arabian dance.

Haar is extremely flexible, with extraordinary balance and fluid grace. Her entrance in a full split on the shoulders of the two men and her perpendicular bends "en pointe," with one toe arched on the stage and the other pointing skyward, were spectacular.

Anne Maria Melendez, Aaron Orlowski and Amanda Janesick were colorful and expert Spanish dancers. Jordi Ribera dazzled with his Russian dance, although he substituted floor splits for aerial splits. Monica Cook and Boyko Loutchev were effervescent and precise in the Chinese dance. Rachael Hummel, Julie Pleasant and Kara Hamburg sparkled as the Mirletons (dancing flutes).

In the Dance of the Snowflakes and Waltz of the Flowers, the corps de ballet was outstanding, graceful and charming and danced with superb precision. The youngsters who were bonbons brought down the house with their dance routine and cute antics. The toy soldiers marched with Rockette flair, and the tiny mice were nimble and pixieish.

On balance, the joy of the "Nutcracker" is its holiday spirit and visual delight. The NBT production is a charming holiday treat that will entertain the entire family.com