Many impress in Ballet Lubbock's 'Nutcracker'
| Publication | Lubbock Avalanche-Journal |
| Date | December 12, 2010 |
| Author | William Kerns |
The magic within Ballet Lubbock’s traditional holiday ballet “The Nutcracker” is not limited to that cast by Herr Drosselmeyer in the story this year.
Nor are the only awesome performances those by featured guests NaTalia Johnson and Amar Ramasar, who return from their professional New York-based companies to perform as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier, respectively.
Several company dancers stand out, and Johnson is not the only Ballet Lubbock alum to return and excel in major roles.
Some weaknesses at Friday’s performance no doubt could be chalked up to opening night nerves, even a couple of the times when dancers exhibited fine form, but seemed to lose strength before recovering nicely.
On the other hand, Yvonne Racz Key, the company’s artistic director, no doubt knew beforehand that certain ensemble work would reveal dancers who had, perhaps, not put in as much work as others. The best moments, after all, find dancers performing almost as one mind/one body; placement won’t hide weaknesses.
Even so, Ballet Lubbock, she has pointed out, is more ballet school than professional company. And she is aware that production experience one year can pay off the next.
Still, her 2010 “The Nutcracker” is being performed for its largest total audience; it is doubtful that anyone will leave disappointed.
Key remains satisfied with a traditional story: the setting still finds young Clara receiving a nutcracker from toymaker Herr Drosselmeyer on Christmas Eve. After falling asleep, she “awakens” to find her nutcracker, having grown, engaged in battle with a Rat King.
Clara is the battle’s deciding factor. And she and her nutcracker, now a real boy, are escorted to the Land of Snow.
In Act II, they will be entertained by performers from many lands before Clara goes home.
She eventually wakes, hoping to convince all that her magical adventure was no dream.
Act One’s party scene continues to drag, but Drosselmeyer’s wind-up dolls, danced by Jeff Smith and Annie Martin, are a true delight. Kudos, also, go to those responsible for costumes and makeup for the evenings “Little Dolls,” who charm more than just their relatives.
Company member Katerina DeLawyer and alum Bashaun Williams commanded attention with their pas de deux as the Snow Queen and King; each proves to be an intelligent dancer with impressive form.
Indeed, his confidence expressed via an engaging smile, Williams’ flawless performance captured the audience’s favor Friday. Returning in Act II to deliver exceptional leaps as a solo Russian, Williams closed with an obviously much-rehearsed flourish and twist that drew cheers.
If his exit’s high, acrobatic flips were unnecessary, they quite obviously also were generated by a happy enthusiasm rather than ego.
Faith Gregg and Smith expressed personal poetry with a combination of strength and limber body control during the Arabian divertissement; one can hardly believe the precision of Gregg’s work as a high school junior.
Key chose talented Bethany Lowrie, Bonnie Hatch and Sarah Ryburn for good reason to lead her Waltz of the Flowers as the Dewdrop Fairy and her Roses.
Finally, seeing Ballet Noir’s Johnson, posture perfect as though born on her toes, in the New York Times this month proved to be only a hint of her exceptional precision. And equally, if not more, impressive this year are the timing, confident movement and consistent control of gifted New York City Ballet soloist Ramasar.
That the two trust and respect one another could not be more obvious.
In fact, the final pas de deux by this Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier is gorgeous to the point of casting a spell over its audience — while no doubt inspiring Key to rush to seek their return once more in 2011, if at all possible.
