`The Nutcracker’s” wondrous enchantment usually makes the piece a beloved holiday favorite. The Salt Creek Ballet’s performance of the seasonal show last weekend at the Paramount Arts Centre in Aurora, however, was less than magical.
The west suburban dance company staged an ambitious effort with its troupe of local dancers, the 50-piece Salt Creek Ballet Orchestra, elaborate sets and detailed costumes. And though the production included top talent imported from the American Ballet Theatre–something Salt Creek has done in seven of the past eight years–the performance fell short.
ABT soloists Sandra Brown and John Gardner showed their stuff in solos and in an enchanting pas de deux–Brown with remarkable, delicate grace. Unfortunately, their stellar style made company dancers pale by comparison.
Salt Creek justly earns praise for giving area talent their turn on stage, incorporating more than 65 dancers into the show, including many local children and ballet students.
Hints of magic exist in the interplay between Brown as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Gardner as the Nutcracker Prince, as well as standout performances in the energetic Russian dance and sultry Arabian dance.
Yet, overall, the movement is heavy, the production disjointed and the revised plot a bit unclear. It’s a good opportunity, though, for the many kids in the audience to see others their age performing on stage.
The performance repeats Sunday at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie with a few changes: ABT soloist Shawn Black replaces Brown, and a recording of Tchaikovsky’s score replaces the orchestra.
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Salt Creek Ballet performs “The Nutcracker” at 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 N. Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Phone 847-673-6300.
