When nutcrackers do battle, you win!

By Carrie White

Talk about an embarrassment of riches: This season, Hampton Roads has two different productions of Tchaikovsky's classic ballet "The Nutcracker."

Ballet Virginia International, in its first year after splitting off from Virginia Ballet Theatre, is presenting a show similar to that seen by area audiences for the past eight years. Meanwhile, Virginia Ballet Theatre is hosting Richmond Ballet's version of the holiday favorite, accompanied by the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and the Virginia Children's Chorus.

Thus, ballet lovers are faced with the question: "Which nut to crack?" Here's a comparison of the two productions.

Choreography:

Richmond Ballet features more traditional choreography, according to Stoner Winslett, the group's artistic director and choreographer. Tchaikovsky's "score was commissioned by choreographer Marius Petipa. Those two brilliant minds - who am I to fight with their vision? If the music is for snowflake fighting, then let's have snowflake fighting!"

Winslett "re-choreographed" the Richmond Ballet's present version almost six years ago, basing it off her previous work performed by Richmond Ballet for 19 years.

During those performances, she said, "I'd sit in the audience and think, 'If only I could do this or that.' Our new costumes allowed me to do things I couldn't do before. I kept some of the old, put in some new, and worked with collaborators" in many of the national dances.

She also included more animals in the second act. "I noticed that we used to lose the kids in the second act," she said. "Kids were always enthralled with the animals, so animals are featured (in the second act dances). My son, after he saw it, said, 'Mom, I didn't think anyone could make the second act as good as the first!' It was the highest praise I could have received!"

Janina Michalski Bove, one of BVI's artistic directors, said BVI's version "has more personality and is more interesting" than the usual "vanilla" production.

"This production began 19 years ago in California and has evolved since then. We have made it a more cohesive story. We have a different creativity - this 'Nutcracker' appeals to people who are not naturally drawn to the ballet. We stretch it a bit - it has a lot of humor, for instance. We work away from the traditional version."

She added: "But it's like comparing apples to apples. Do you like green or red apples?"

Hope Paryzek, the board president of BVI, said: "It's the same production Hampton Roads has loved for the past eight years."

Sets and costumes

Because BVI is new, its budget is a great deal smaller than Richmond's, said Paryzek.

"Everything is brand new - all the costumes and all the sets. They're stunning. They're beautiful. When I see some of the costumes, I get chill bumps."

Ballet Virginia International has spent more than $20,000, plus many volunteer hours. Paryzek said her favorite costumes "are the party dresses and the period dresses. They are full of shiny and shimmery fabrics that are wonderful."

Bove favors the Ginger Snaps' costumes: "It's a whole new set, but we have the cutest little gingersnaps. The girls are also very excited. It's so much fun having a whole new look."

Richmond Ballet's production is relatively new. In the past five years, says Keith Martin, managing director, the company has spent more than $1 million for new sets, costumes and properties.

"There's even real snow at the end of the first act," he said.

Martin said his favorite costume is the "59-foot dragon we flew in all the way from China."

Cast

Richmond Ballet hosted local auditions in September, and 62 of its 185 dancers are from Tidewater, including a contingent from the Eastern Shore. The Virginia Symphony Orchestra and Virginia Children's Chorus comprise the rest of the "native" talent. The cast also includes 19 professional dancers, five apprentices, 18 trainees, and 20 older children, along with 27 production staff, five artistic staff members, and 10 chaperones who will be bused in from Richmond.

Ballet Virginia International has more than 100 local children, from ages 6 to 18, dancing.

"These are the premier dancers of Hampton Roads from Hampton Roads academies and other dance programs," Paryzek said. "We have phenomenal local talent - it's very strong. Some of these kids go on to dance in, for example, The Royal Ballet."

The cast includes seven guest professional dancers from "all over the world," she said.

Music

The Virginia Symphony Orchestra and the Virginia Children's Chorus will accompany Richmond Ballet. Ron Matson will conduct.

Ballet Virginia International will use a recording of the music.

"I love The Virginia Symphony," Paryzek said, "but it wasn't available. And since we are new, we were still raising money."

The final word

Ballet Virginia's Paryzek claimed, "We are part of the community, and people have seen this for years - we are the traditional favorite. It's a magical show. We target this as a family tradition for the young at heart. It's a great show and venue for both the young and old. Our production is just before Christmas, right when kids get out of school. It's a great way for families to get together and start the holiday week."

Bove added, "The community is used to seeing us. But with new costumes and a new set, it'll have a whole new look to it."

Richmond Ballet's Martin said: "This is our holiday gift to the community. It's the single most recognized score. There is no other production like it. It's ballet, theater, magic, symphony, chorus. This particular production is an unprecedented collaboration between Todd Rosenlieb Dance, Virginia Children's Chorus, Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Richmond Ballet, and Virginia Ballet Theatre - the level of cooperation is incredible. And the costumes - they're as lavish as the choreography. It'll be spectacular."

Carrie White, caramine2@aol.com

BVI, being new, worked with a smaller budget, spending more than $20,000 and numerous volunteer hours.

Ballet Virginia International has 140 local children, from ages 6 to 18, dancing, as well as seven guest professional dancers.

Ballet Virginia International will use recorded music.

Ballet Virginia International is offering "Clara's tea parties" before the two matinee performances.

Ballet Virginia International

When 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20; 2 p.m. Dec. 21. Weekend teas at noon.

Where Harrison Opera House, Norfolk

Tickets $20-$35. (757) 671-8100, www.balletvirginia.org.

Also Shows, teas Dec. 13-14, Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts

Richmond Ballet has spent more than $1 million for new sets, costumes and properties in the past five years, says Keith Martin, managing director. They include real snow and a 59-foot dragon.

Of the Richmond Ballet's 185 dancers, 62 will be from this region.

The Virginia Symphony Orchestra and the Virginia Children's Chorus will accompany Richmond Ballet.

Richmond Ballet is offering one "Sugarplum Tea" after the Saturday matinee performance. During the tea, guests can also be photographed with Nutcracker characters.

The Virginia Ballet Theatre presents Richmond Ballet's "The Nutcracker" with Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Virginia Children's Chorus and Todd Rosenlieb Dance

When 7 p.m. Friday; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. The Saturday tea follows the matinee.

Where Chrysler Hall, Norfolk

Tickets $20-$60 (757) 671-8100. $100 VIP tickets, (757) 622-4822. Ballet Virginia International Richmond

Ballet