Virtuoso dancing, an orchestra performing Tchaikovsky’s score, opulent sets and costumes, a holiday chorus singing carols and characters like the Sugar Plum Fairy are just a few of the offerings when Pacific Beach’s premiere dance company, City Ballet, brings back its award-winning production of the holiday classic ballet “The Nutcracker.” Final performances run Friday through Sunday, Dec.15 to 17, at Spreckels Theatre, 121 Broadway.
“We really decided to do ‘The Nutcracker’ when we first moved to San Diego in 1987. We went and looked at the local ‘Nutcracker’ productions and, quite frankly, we were very disappointed,” said Steven Wistrich, ballet director. “We did not think that there was a really professional production in San Diego so when the time came for us to put a ‘Nutcracker’ together, we had a whole different idea in mind.”
High caliber became the theme of the City Ballet version. They were fortunate enough to acquire an elaborate set from another company and that set fits Spreckels Theatre like it was built for it.
“The costumes we acquired were also very beautiful. We have been doing ‘Nutcracker’ for about 12 years now and over the years we keep adding to and refurbishing our costumes,” he said, adding that some area productions have used the same costumes for 25 to 30 years. “We keep changing and evolving so it is visually stunning.”
The production always gets an excellent response. In fact, in previous years it would only run for one weekend. Last year the company decided to add another weekend and still the box office is hopping ” particularly on the day of the show.
˜The Nutcracker’ is special because it is a holiday tradition and it is one of those shows that can bring families together,” said dancer Ariana Samuelsson. “Every young girl wants [to be] the Sugar Plum Fairy and so it’s a really magical production. The story is great and there is a lot “¦ of special effects and interesting things happening.”
Samuelsson, 24, is a familiar face at City Ballet because she is the daughter of Steven Wistrich and his wife, resident choreographer Elizabeth Wistrich. The Wistrich’s lead the company through an exciting and mixed repertoire during its season, which runs from October to mid-May.
Moving beautifully with Samuelsson is Slovakian-born Ivan Bielik, an elegant dancer who began his training at 8 years old at the Vienna State Opera under Michael Birkmayer and Valentin Onoschoko, formerly of the Kirov Ballet. Bielik later joined that company before moving to the United States and joining the Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley and Pittsburgh Ballet as principal dancer.
“Nutcracker” aficionados will be impressed with the music, too. The company recently took a major step by adding the City Ballet Orchestra, which will play along during the show. Other production highlights include a snow scene with singing chorus and professional children dancers from the City Ballet School.
The City Ballet, located at 941 Garnet Ave., is a professional ballet company entering its 13th season and featuring dancers from all over the world. The group’s final performance of the season will be a program of works by George Ballanchine, the renowned Russian ballet choreographer.
“Not only are our sets and costumes very spectacular but the caliber of our dancing is highly professional. Our production has been compared to the San Francisco production of ‘Nutcracker,'” Wistrich said. “If people want to see a very polished, award-winning production of ‘The Nutcracker,’ they will be able to see ours and not be disappointed.”
Tickets are $29 for balcony, $39 for mezzanine and $49 for orchestra. For information, call (858) 272-8663.
