Tuesday, December 23, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

`Nutcracker' a wonderful show

If Christmas had a theme song, it could well be the opening strains of Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker." The late 19th century work is as essential to the holidays as fruitcake -- and, many would agree, much more festive.

That's certainly the case in relation to the Nevada Ballet Theatre's production, now at the Samba Theatre at the Rio, 3700 W. Flamingo Road. Dozens of dancers, lavish staging and, yes, live music, make this a guaranteed crowd pleaser year after year.

This is the third outing for the grand Victorian costumes and sets of Alexandre Vassiliev, but they still look fresh and crisp -- and are nearly worth the price of admission. Combined with an all-new lighting design, the performance has a sophisticated, stylish flair.

Add the skills of the dancers and members of the Nevada Philharmonic in the pit, under the direction of Philharmonic music director Harold Weller, and it's a special holiday treat.

The ballet took this show on the road, to Reno and to Cedar City, Utah, before offering it here, with solid success.

The dance's story is a simple one. The parents of Clara and Fritz celebrate the holidays with an elaborate party, with much dancing and the appearance of the mysterious Herr Drosselmeyer (danced with aplomb, again this year, by John Surdick). One of his gifts to young Clara is a magical nutcracker. When the two children sneak back to the living room after the party is over, the nutcracker comes to life, fights a noble foe in the Mouse King, and leads the children to a magical land with dancers from throughout the world -- unless it's all just a dream.

Several roles are performed by different dancers at different shows. At the reviewed performance, Natalia Chapourskaya and Baris Erham were winning, romantic dolls presented to the children, while Nicholas Dunford was a commanding Mouse King to the dynamic Nutcracker Zeb Nole. Tess Hooley was an ethereal Sugar Plum Fairy, and Heather Haar a lovely Snow Queen, each the picture of the perfect ballerina in sparkly leotard, tutu and tights.

Snow fell upon the stage, and on the dozen snowflake dancers, in a quintessential holiday scene.

Young dancers Alexia Lombard and Cameron Findley were apt as Clara and Fritz, Alexia with a tumble of brown curls and a knee-length, pink, ruffled gown, and Cameron the young Victorian gent in velvet knee breeches.

The musicians, with Weller, complemented the onstage action, giving a lively interpretation of the so-familiar melodies.