Season falls in place with `Nutcracker'
The Dec. 1 performance featured the opening night cast with a few casting changes, mainly in minor roles. Principal Janie Parker, however, took the night off, so fellow principal dancer Rachel Jonell Beard substituted as the Sugar Plum Fairy.
The stage is set with a Christmasy border, and instead of the standard red curtains, a beautifully painted drop curtain hides the stage interior. When the ballet begins with townspeople heading over to the Stahlbaums' Christmas party, the curtain becomes slightly transparent, giving the effect that the people are walking through the snow-covered scene painted on the curtain.
After the guests arrive at the home of Clara (Erika Johnson) and her bratty brother Fritz (Parren Ballard), the festivities begin, and the movement of so many people on stage is entertaining rather than overwhelming or distracting.
Fritz's dancing stands out, especially when he's tormenting his sister or playing with his new toys. Another eye-catching body is Fritz's smallest friend, a boy with dreadlocks who lets loose on the wooden horse, dreads flopping.
After lots of skipping and hugging, Dr. Drosselmeyer walks in, except he doesn't seem fearsome: he is ugly, but harmless, not mysterious or frightening.
He redeems himself with magic tricks that wow not only the kids on stage, but the audience as well. He brings life-sized dolls and, of course, the Nutcracker.
The dancers, as dolls, perform well, with stiff arms, mechanical movements and wide-opened eyes. Even when they dance, the audience never forgets that they are supposed to be wind-up toys.
When Nutcracker transforms into the Prince, he is danced by super-dancer Carlos Acosta.The Prince takes Clara to the Land of Snow, where they meet the Snow Queen (Lauren Anderson).
The Prince and Clara leave for the Kingdom of Sweets, where they are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy.
The second act is always a favorite with its foreign-themed dances; the most notable ones are the sensual Arabic dance and the playful dance of Madame Bonbonaire and her clowns. Disappointing, however, was what most people remember most clearly from The Nutcracker -- the Russian dance.
Timothy O'Keefe had the energy for the jumping and spinning, but in exchange for the energy, he traded in his control. After various athletic moves, the audience knew he would finish the piece on one knee, arm in the air and head high. Instead, he landed on one knee, fell over, caught himself with his free hand and came through with a big smile -- perhaps of disappointment.
Some of the dancers weren't having great nights, for a few of them lost their footing here and there.
The dances soon drew to a close, and in the finale the Prince and the Sugar Plum Fairy dance a grand pas de deux. Beard was impressive with incredible lines and absolute control.
It's nice to see The Nutcracker , even if some see it out of tradition more than anything else. The Houston Ballet does an entertaining show.
This item appeared in the Opinion section of the December 8, 1995 issue.
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