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 Oregon
Ballet Theatre - 'The Nutcracker'
Balanchine's Balm
for the Eyes
by Dean Speer
December 13, 2003
-- Keller Auditorium, Portland
Having slipped away to play hooky
from my own "Nutcracker" -- a community production of SW Washington
Dance Center in Chehalis-Centralia, Washington -- I was doubly expectant
and curious to see Oregon Ballet Theatre’s production of the west coast
premiere of the Mr. Balanchine’s version. I had last seen this version
during the holidays of 1988, beautifully done by Atlanta Ballet, so it
was nice to be reminded of the charms of this edition.
I earlier wrote about OBT to the effect that Artistic Director Christopher
Stowell mounted a season that was making a bold and audacious statement
about the future of the company. This is certainly true of making the
step to present George Balanchine’s version, originally done for the New
York City Ballet in 1954. Lovingly staged by Elyse Borne with the children’s
parts set by Darla Hoover, I found that the evening was, as I like to
say, "balm for my eyes," and food for my soul.
The Saturday December 13th evening performance was, as near as I can tell,
perfectly cast. Singling out individual performers, I thought Yuka Iino
and Alison Roper could not have been better in their respective parts
as Sugarplum Fairy and Dewdrop, with Karl Vakili as a sympathetic and
excellent partner. Each got through the delicious yet tough choreographic
assignments with very strong technique, skill, and aplomb. It’s tempting
to say that each were the price of admission, which is true, but so were
the larger production picture and especially the large group dances --
Snowflakes and Waltz of the Flowers.
Rehearsed on a daily basis since 3 November, this kind of drilling, diligence,
persistence, and hard work clearly paid off with the level of performance
the ensemble gave to each. Make no mistake, the dual-edged sword of the
Balanchine work (delicious and fun to do, yet can be challenging, yea
hard) was clear in the patterns and steps. A total joy to watch - and
thrilling. I was warmed down to my toes.
I’ve never thought of Mr. Balanchine as being "old-fashioned"
yet he has some patterns and work, particularly in the Waltz of the Flowers,
that is best described as old-fashioned and filled with charm of its own.
For example, at one point he has the single line of corps women break
in half; each half, with the center person staying in place and running
either forward or back, made two circling, swirling lines. I loved it!
The only thing that I artistically disagree with in this version is the
use of what I think of and expect for the music that begins the Snow Scene
-- a pas de deux for a Snow Queen and King. Instead, we get a lot of Marie
on her bed traveling around with the Nutcracker Prince in the lead. Too
late to ask Mr. Balanchine why, or to change it, but I do miss seeing
a duet at this juncture. I don’t mind the traveling bed being used as
a dramatic device. Many versions have similar things, sometimes there
musically, sometimes at the top of Act II. Nevertheless, I found it went
on too long.
Rarely, if ever, have I been disappointed by Balanchine’s masterful and
well-composed choreography but I suppose even the best has to bomb now
and then. In this case for me, it was Arabian (Coffee), beautifully danced
by Tracy Taylor, but dull choreographically -- it didn’t
go anywhere. I found myself losing interest. Might there be another version
out there that Mr. Balanchine did?
Former Pacific Northwest Ballet dancer Gavin Larsen has really come into
her own at OBT. As the head Marzipan Shepherdess, she led her troupe with
authority in this dance of pointes delights.
Conductor Neil DePonte expertly supported the dancers with an orchestra
which, while smaller than the usual, played very well. And what a treat
is was to have a children’s choir for the Snow Scene!
I applaud Mr. Stowell and OBT in bringing
this wonderful version to Northwest audiences.
Edited by Lori Ibay
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