EL CAJON — Serious balletomanes scoff at the profusion of "Nutcrackers" that pop up this time of year. But for local children, visions of sugar plums dance into their heads from this holiday ballet.
Purveyors of the Christmas classic love "The Nutcracker" because it's a proven moneymaker that offers boundless opportunities to show off the company kids.
The happy young faces in the audience told the story last weekend when two local troupes--the California Ballet and the American Ballet Ensemble--unwrapped its gaily packaged versions of the Yuletide favorite at separate locations. The sugar-coated fairy tale ballet is one of the most welcome signs of the season.
Cal Ballet's "Nutcracker" nestled in Friday night at the East County Performing Arts Center, where it remained through Sunday night. The production moves to the Civic Theatre for performances Friday through Sunday and Dec. 20-24.
It was the 19th year for this full-length "Nutcracker," and the only major differences from last season's offering were the perennial cast changes.
A new \o7 divertissement \f7 for six older students decked out in candy-cane stripes was the most noticeable addition to director Maxine Mahon's familiar choreography. Eventually, it may evolve into a respectable approximation of the traditional Chinese ribbon dance, but the swirling streamers twirled by the dancers as they circled the stage would not cooperate during Saturday's matinee.
The cancellation of the San Francisco Ballet's "Nutcracker" this year brought several local children back into the Cal Ballet fold. Tiffany Billings, who danced Clara for the San Francisco's "Nutcracker" in 1987 and '88, was one of them. This year she danced the same role for California Ballet during its East County run (though not the matinee), and she will appear in several of the Civic Theater performances.
Denise Dabrowski, taking her 10th turn as the Sugar Plum Fairy, was as regal and radiant as ever in the Grand Pas de Deux. Guest artist Mark Lanham (who alternates with former New York City Ballet dancer Otto Neubert) was only adequate in his partnering. But he made a handsome Cavalier, and did a commendable job in the solo variation.
Karen Evans was slithery and seductive in the Arabian coffee dance, and Sylvia Poolos made a personable and sure-footed Dewdrop. Both will dance the part of the Sugar Plum Fairy at upcoming performances. Herberto Cortes (a USIU student) made a promising debut in drag for Mother Ginger's commedia dell'arte shenanigans with a brood of unruly bonbons, the tiniest dancers in the production.
