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Ballet companies Hawaii Ballet Theatre opens the 2001 "Nutcracker" season tomorrow at Leeward Community College Theater with its 21st annual production of the holiday classic.
open holidays
with ‘Nutcracker’
Hawaii Ballet Theatre brings its
performance to Leeward CCStar-Bulletin staff
Shows will be at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow, Sunday and Dec. 15 and 16, and 7:30 p.m. tomorrow and Dec. 15.
Directed by Charlys Ing, the grand spectacle is based on the book "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King," written by E.T.A. Hoffman.
The story as told today focuses on young Clara, who is celebrating Christmas Eve with her family. Her godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer, arrives. He is always full of surprises and presents two life-size dancing dolls to the delight of the party, adults included.
The children begin to open gifts, and Drosselmeyer presents his to Clara and her brother Fritz. Although his gift to Fritz is nice, his gift to Clara, a beautiful Nutcracker, is the hit of the party. Fritz, a bit jealous, grabs the nutcracker from Clara and promptly breaks it.
Clara is heartbroken, and Drosselmeyer attempts to repair the Nutcracker.
Later, when the guests depart and the family goes to bed, Clara, worried about her Nutcracker, sneaks back to the tree to check on him. Then the inanimate comes alive, strange creatures do battle, and Clara journeys to a land of snow, enchanted forests and sweets.
A complimentary Sugarplum Tea, with tea sandwiches and punch, will follow each matinee performance. Audience members can also visit with Santa and meet the dancers.
At evening performances there will be hot chocolate and Starbucks coffee available after the show, and a complimentary souvenir photo with Clara for the first 50 children, ages 12 and under.
Ticket prices are $22 for adults and $17 for children, seniors and military (except for the $10 children price on Saturday nights). Group discounts are also available. For more information or to reserve tickets, call 839-1596.
More 'Nutcracker'
Upcoming "Nutcracker" performances are:>> "King Kalakaua's Nutcracker": World-premiere production by the Honolulu Dance Theatre combines Hawaii's historical figures such as King Kalakaua and Princess Kaiulani with the music of Tchaikovsky to create a Christmas tribute to Hawaii. The journey will include being whisked away to a royal ball with the "Waltz of the Hibiscus Flowers," the "Dance of Princess Kaiulani's Beloved Peacocks" and "King Kalakaua's Magical Land of Rainbows." At Hawaii Theatre, 7:30 p.m. next Friday, and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15. Tickets are $5 to $25. Call 528-0506.
>> "The Nutcracker": Hawaii State Ballet performance under the direction of John Landovsky. At Mamiya Theatre, 7 p.m. next Friday and Dec. 15, 22 and 23; 2:30 p.m. Dec. 16 and 23; and 6 p.m. Dec. 16. Tickets are $16, $18 and $22; $2 discount for seniors and children under 12. Call 947-2755 or 783-2747.
>> Ballet Hawaii's "Nutcracker": With stars from the American Ballet Theatre and the Honolulu Symphony, at the Blaisdell Concert Hall Dec. 21-23.
The performance features dancers from the American Ballet Theatre, including Ashley Tuttle as the Sugarplum Fairy and Ethan Stiefel, who played a leading role in the film "Center Stage," as her Cavalier Prince.
In addition, Tai Jimenez, principal dancer at Dance Theatre of Harlem, is coming in to dance the Arabian. The acclaimed dancer has performed title roles in "Giselle" and "Firebird," and has been a guest with the Maryland Ballet, Virginia Ballet, Dance as Ever, Complexions and Earl Mosley Dance.
She's also appeared on the Academy Awards, Prince's Millennium Celebration, Kennedy Center Honors, a music video for Limp Bizkit, and has just completed her first feature film, tentatively titled "Without a Word" and starring Patrick Swayze, who is also a dancer.
Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21 and 22, and 2 p.m. Dec. 23. Tickets are $35 to $55 at the Blaisdell box office and TicketPlus outlets, with $10 discounts for students, seniors and military. Call 526-4400 to charge by phone, or log on to www.ticketplus.com.
An opening-night, post-show champagne reception with the stars is $100, including $55 VIP seating and VIP parking. Call 988-7578 for reservations.
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