[NEohioPAL] Berko review: CANADA'S ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET NUTCRACKER @ PLAYHOUSEQUARE

[Roy Berko]

*ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET’S NUTCRACKER disappoints*



Roy Berko

(Member, Dance Critics Association)



--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

*Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News
Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times*



--coocleveland.com—



It might come as a shock to some to know that NUTCRACKER, whose
performances have become a world wide Christmas tradition, was dismissed as
“completely insipid,” “corpulent,” and “pudgy” when the ballet was first
performed in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1892.  Obviously, views have
changed!



There was never any question of the quality of Pyotr Ilyich
Tchaikovsky<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyotr_Ilyich_Tchaikovsky>’s
music, but the story was deemed to be incoherent and hard to follow.



Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet is back in Cleveland to present its version
of the fantasy story of Clara, a young Canadian girl in this version, and
her love affair with a nutcracker prince.



As the fine orchestra played the overture, which highlights the themes of
the great score, an outdoor hockey game, snowball fight and the arrival of
guests, is portrayed.



Yes, it’s the night before Christmas and everything and everyone is
stirring, including guests, mice, a giant stuffed bear, a dream of a sugar
plum fairy, dancing snowflakes, angels, waltzing flowers, and a nutcracker
prince.



The Canadian company puts out full effort, but they fall short on fantasy.  All
the elements are there, just the dance quality and creative choreography
are missing.  The usual squeals of delight of the children in the audience,
especially, the young girls, were not present.  The usual Cleveland
standing ovation was not garnered.  No “bravos” were shouted after the
showcase *Grand Pas de Deux*.  This was a rather slow moving,
unspectacular, if adequately danced program.



The first act was especially slow moving. There was a lot of walking around
and posing.  Drosselmeier lost his magic touch and was nothing more than a
master of ceremonies.  The much anticipated Christmas tree was there, but
it was not eye popping and its usually visually entrancing growth was
rather unspectacular.  The battle between the Nutcracker prince and his
soldiers, and the Mouse King and his henchmen, was boring.  Even the
cannons didn’t create much of a boom.  The highlight was the *Dance of the
Snowflakes*, which was nicely performed and the presence of 50 child locals
portraying various parts.



The second act picked up a little with some fine performances by the *Pas
deQuatre* and the *Arabian duo*.  The Sugar Plum Fairy danced adequately
well, but did not mesmerize and many of the other specialty dances did not
compel attention.



As I sat watching this performance, my mind scrolled back to the days of
the Cleveland-San Jose Ballet and Dennis Nahat’s glorious version of the
NUTCRACKER which was often performed on the same State Theatre stage.  It
often starred the luminous Karen Gabay and Raymond Rodriquez, her real life
prince.  Those were the presentations which elicited the “ohs,” “ahs,” and
“bravos.”



Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet is an adequate company, but did not display
the quality of dancing and creative choreography to make it a world class
troupe.  The women dancers often didn’t stick point, and sometimes stood at
odd angles as they attempted to hold poses.  The lead dancers were
adequate, but not of the quality that should be expected.



*Capsule judgement:  Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet lacked the necessary
excitement, fantasy and fine dancing to make its’ NUTCRACKER a compelling
evening of dance.  *

* *

Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet NUTCRACKER performers at the State Theatre
in PlayhouseSquare through December 11.  For tickets call 216-241-6000.**
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