Bravissimo Mini-REVIEWS ( ** )
REVIEW Commentary (** As seen, 12/22/07 Matinee):
SAN DIEGO Ballet Company

Mandeville Auditorium
THE NUTCRACKER
Mega-draw for Kids!

San Diego Ballet’s THE NUTCRACKER, as Co-directed and choreographed by Robin Morgan and Javier Velasco is performed to music-tracks, and is interpreted by Velasco and Morgan a bit different from other productions, with Velasco (himself) playing DROSSELMAYER (sinister and manipulative, with nary-a-smile, black-cape-and-all…truly the ‘dark’ side). The traditional prologue scene of DROSSELMAYER introducing the ‘Nutcracker doll’ was deleted, but the joyous ‘opening party’ scene was very up-beat, with kids-a-plenty, a minimum of actual dance, but the usual jump-start of the MICE scene was a bit scattered.

Photo by RA
Co-sponsored by the Division of Arts & Humanities (UCSD), San Diego Ballet’s THE NUTCRACKER whose strong points were the soloists themselves, included the opening Party Scene with Margo van den Helder (as CLARA) and Dylan Smith (as her Nephew/PRINCE); the SNOW KING & QUEEN played very well by Pal Udvarhelyi and Abby Avery, who in the second act, then reappear as the SHEPHERD and SHEPHERDESS; and then solo Russian Cossack dancer Askar Kettebekov doing it alone (and, doing it well) with female Russian Cossacks, and then of course a pompous Ted Barduson (in drag, as MOTHER GINGER). Petite Japanese dancer Hiroko Hiro pranced in-and-out (as BLUEBELL), and though showing some good training, has a while to go before emerging as a true ballerina. San Diego Ballet’s high-point for the audience, came with the Arabian Coffee segment, richly brewed by Rachel Sebastian and Ted Blevins, with more than adequate cream-and-sugar support from six Arabian dancers. The crowning ‘star-turn’ however of this NUTCRACKER was the Grand-Pas-de-Deux by the SUGAR PLUM FAIRY Chelsy Meiss and her CAVALIER Askar Alimbetov, both displaying excellent technique, as well as pleasurable ‘emotion’ between them (they even looked at each other), and they excelled in some wonderful ballet ‘moments’ of virtuoso-technique! Some of co-choreographer’s Robin Morgan and Javier Velasco’s best work showed itself with their 12-dancer Corps-de-Ballet. The audience, truly enjoyed themselves, and gave San Diego Ballet good reason to do it all over again…next year!

Director Javier Velasco
With Ballerina Chelsy Meiss
Photo by RA

‘San Diego Ballet’s mission is to excite, enrich and entertain the diverse community, through an imaginative presentation of quality classical and contemporary dance’. For information on future performances, ballet classes, etc…call (619) 294-7378, or go online at www.sandiegoballet.org.

Note: This year, there is no review coverage for City Ballet of San Diego’s performances of THE NUTCRACKER

Performing Arts Columnist ROB APPEL, with a MA in Theatre Arts and a Doctorate in Dance, and some 4,000 productions over 44 years as a dancer, choreographer, director and producer around the world, is known locally as the Founder/Producer, for 9-years of BRAVO SAN DIEGO, along with 8-years producing SUMMERQUEST and numerous other nonprofit gala events!

Email Rob Appel at
Raoulappel@aol.com