Dance Reviews

Dec 9, 2006 - Colorful and sumptuous, the A.V.A. Ballet Theatre's "The Nutcracker" is enchanting

By By Jack Neal

It's not enough to love Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker Ballet," impresarios of ballet must get by the syrupy legend surrounding this marvelous piece, roll up their sleeves and breathe real life into this lovely storybook ballet.

That is exactly what Alexander Van Alstyne, A.V.A. Ballet Theatre's artistic director and choreographer, and Miriam Allen, the production's co-director, have done. And it shows from start to finish in a warm, enchanting show that makes perfect use of the company's fresh young talent and shrewd use of the excellent guest stars who add professionalism to an already classic presentation.

The Reno Philharmonic provides a lush musical collaboration. The orchestra's conductor, Barry Jekowsky proves once again that he knows how to make dancers comfortable every pirouette, arabesque and plie of the way. Music is integral to the ballet experience, which means it must be as alive as the artists on stage. To everyone's credit the music is live, vibrantly alive, and lovely. The Nevada Opera Youth Chorus (Kris Engstrom, director) add joyful youthfulness to the score.

William Pizzuto centers the production with his solid characterization of Drosselmeyer, the favorite uncle with bags of tricks up his sleeves. Too often overlooked as a relatively non-dancing role, Pizzuto's Drosselmeyer not only has the essence of dance, but infuses his every scene with a presence that allows the dancing around him to soar.

Soaring, also - and to the heights - is the magnetic dancing of Lauren Main de Lucia, an assured, lithe and elegant Sugar Plumb Fairy, and her artistic and athletic Sugar Plumb Cavalier, Jekyns Pelaz. Their Act II pas de deux is technically solid, artistically inspired and exceptionally musical.

Mayo Sugano is a radiant Snow Queen. Peter Brandenhoff a handsome, chivalrous Snow King. Serene and fresh, they make beautiful dance to together. Who better than this perfect couple to usher Clara and her Nutcracker Prince into the Kingdom of Sweets.

Emily Bedell is, without doubt, the most thoroughly dancing Clara I've seen and she meets the challenge with her great gifts for dance wonderfully integrating all she does with a young girl's zest for fantasy. She's absolutely charming as his her Nutcracker Prince, Christopher Fox – an athletic young man who dazzles with his ability to sail through the air with the greatest of ease.

Eve Allen is all posture and attitude in the Spanish vignette, as are Jessica Evans and Danielle Pearson. Managing the extensive demands of the Arabian Dance, Nicole Shutt is a standout. Maegan Price and Eve Allen shine as lead dancers in the Waltz of the Flowers.

But then "shine" is what everyone does in the bright and shining "Nutcracker." Act I's Party Girls are a marvelously adroit troupe of young dancers. The young women who dance "Snow" are elegant. Erika Millick's Mother Goose and her cute-beyond-words Ginger Girls are showstoppers. Morgan O'Brien's Mechanical Doll and Krysta Palmer's Toy Soldier are delightful. Delightful, too, are the red soldiers, mice and everyone else who are so at home and entertaining in this imaginative production.

Directors Van Alstyne and Allen are a winning combination. The staging and choreography set out to tell a story and they tell it well. The attractive sets create an environment of enchantment. The lavish costumes push all the right buttons. Periann Scott's lighting designs provide a look of magical incandescence.

The A.V.A. Ballet Theatre's "The Nutcracker Ballet" is a triumph.

The A.V.A. Ballet Theatre's "The Nutcracker Ballet" can be seen Friday and Saturday, December 8 and 9 (2006) at 8 p.m. and Sunday, December 10 (2006) at 2 p.m. at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, 100 South Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada. For information call 775-786-1221 or 775-686-6600.