There's something that stirs your heart when you watch children watching other children perform in the Sacramento Ballet's "The Nutcracker."
This holiday celebration highlights what is magical about dreams and where they can take you.
From the first lilting notes of Tchaikovsky's familiar score – "dun, dun, du-du du du, du du du du du dun, dun" – the cast of kids (and adults) that opens the show makes us want to hurl snowballs or believe we're going for a sleigh ride.
Christmas is coming and a party is being held at the Stahlbaum home. Clara and her naughty brother Fritz (danced opening night by Molly Odell and Elijah Vasquez, respectively) can hardly contain themselves. The doting governess has her hands full!
Once the other children and parents arrive, it's all about merriment and fun.
The production, which opened Friday at Sacramento's Community Center Theater and continues through Dec. 23, features beautiful choreography and staging by co-artistic directors Ron Cunningham and Carinne Binda. Their efforts to involve so many children – more than 140 in each performance – makes the show.
Once Dr. Drosselmeyer arrives with his bags and boxes of tricks and toys, the magic begins. Life-size mechanical dolls and soldiers have the party kids squealing with delight.
Former company members Annali Rose Clevenger, Colby Damon and Michael Separovich are back.
Clevenger will dance the role of Sugar Plum Fairy in several performances this weekend and next. Separovich assumes the role of the evil Mouse King, who engages the Nutcracker in the colorful battle scene highlighted by toy soldiers, Christmas dolls, Teeny Tiny Mice and, personal favorites, Baby Mouse and Baby Bunny.
Roberto Cisneros flies high as the Nutcracker. Once "alive," he escorts Clara on her journey to the Kingdom of Sweets with a stopover in the Snowflake Forest. There, the Snow Queen and King (Alexandra Cunningham and Christopher Nachtrab on opening night) are wondrous as the snow falls around them.
Act 2 moves quickly through the divertissements, including a mystic Arabian with Isha Lloyd and Richard Porter. Solo roles such as the Chinese and Candy Cane give company dancers a chance to put their spin on the parts.
But hands down, Damon and friends had Friday night's audience clapping and shouting during the Russian divertissement, as did Mother Ginger and her brood of cookie kids.
Conductor Henrik Jul Hansen leads the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra, and they shine from start to finish, in particular during the Grand Pas de Deux.
Amanda Peet and Stefan Calka brought depth to this elegant, stirring partnership. Their respective solo turns as the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier were delicate and poised on her part, strong and commanding on his.
Other dancers alternate these roles. While the number of company members is smaller, the artistry and staging, including costumes and lighting, are excellent. The smiles on the children in the show and in the audience are priceless.
THE NUTCRACKER
What: The Sacramento Ballet presents the holiday classic, accompanied by the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra
When: Continues 7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday, 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 22, and 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 23 (final shows)
Where: Community Center Theater, 1301 L St., Sacramento
Cost: $15-$69 at www.sacballet.org or www.tickets.com
Information: (916) 808-5181
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Call The Bee's Leigh Grogan, (916) 321-1129.
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