DELIGHTFUL `NUTCRACKER' ENERGIZED BY SKILL OF GUEST ARTIST

By Tracey Teo, Evansville Courier & Press correspondent
Saturday, December 10, 2005

The Evansville Dance Theatre's "The Nutcracker" is worth the trip Downtown just to see guest artist Tina Bohnstedt dance the Sugar Plum Fairy. It's been many years since the company has had a dancer of this caliber in that role, and the impact overall on the quality of the ballet was evident in the dress rehearsal Thursday. Bohnstedt's dancing is light and effortless, just the way a fairy should be, and her performance is flawless . She is equally delightful in the Grand Pas de Deux with her partner, Viktor Kabaniaev. They generate a regal grandeur that is breathtaking in this tale of Clara's dream in which toys come to life and her nutcracker-turned-prince escorts her through an enchanted world. On the technical side, Bohnstedt's leg extension is strong and controlled without looking forced. It is exciting to see her hold a developpe (in which the leg is extended to the side) and then suddenly swing into an arabesque. But she brings more to the performance than technical excellence a she has stage presence that draws the audience in. Kabaniaev is a gallant Nutcracker Prince, and his solo is mesmerizing with its impressive multiple pirouette turns a la seconde.

The party scene in the first act is lively, and the company captures the magic of Christmas in the Silberhaus household. Period costumes in bold colors add to the festive atmosphere. Keith Martin, Dance Theatre's new artistic director, plays a mysterious Herr Drosselmeyer, who entertains the children with magic tricks. Rainesford Stauffer is a charming Clara and does a wonderful job of portraying a young girl's enthusiasm for the Christmas season and expressing a child's disappointment when her new toy, the nutcracker, is broken by her brother, Fritz (Grant Allen). A notable highlight of the party scene is Shayna Williams' and Jason Martin's performances as the Columbine Doll and the Harlequin.

Keith Martin infuses new life into the second act with choreography that helps create a magical storybook world. He makes the most of every variation when Clara visits the Land of Sweets. Martin's choreography shines in the Arabian dance, performed by Beth Mably and Brandon Sears. The pair dances a sultry pas de deux that showcases their strength and balance. It is good to see a male dancer in the Russian variation this year, and Jason Martin explodes onto the stage with bold leaps and a series of turns. The Chinese dance is more vibrant than in past years, and the big dragon is back, which is sure to be a hit with kids. Joshua Crouch helps keep the momentum going in this short variation and ends flamboyantly with a series of quick sautes. Jack Schriber adds comic relief with his outrageous Mother Ginger. Some of Dance Theatre's youngest students are adorable as gingerbreads. They are amazingly uninhibited and a joy to watch. An early weak point in this performance was the corps de ballet in the snow scene. Some dancers did not seem technically proficient enough to do justice to the choreography, and at times seemed like young birds who wanted to fly by can't quite get off the ground. They redeemed themselves in the second act when their energy level seemed to pick up and they danced a memorable Waltz of the Flowers. Amy Deckard was a dazzling Dewdrop, and her multiple pirouettes demonstrate her skill.

As always, the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Alfred Savia, brought Tchaikovsky's score to life.