Saturday Matinee

Elizabeth Powell, Damian Smith, and the San Francisco Ballet in Tomasson’s Nutcracker. © Erik Tomasson 

If you can’t make it to the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House either due to distance or the recession, PBS’ Great Performances is offering a rare opportunity to get a glimpse of a live performance of San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker. San Francisco performed the first Nutcracker in the US, starting it as a longstanding holiday tradition in this country. Recently renovated a few years ago, Helgi Tomasson’s rendition of the Nutcracker literally bursts off the screen in its elegance and energy. I got a chance to preview the PBS version – with thoughtful details on making the production local to Bay Area audiences, the design offers a nostalgic nod to its past with the world class dancers looking fresh and modern.

In a sea of Nutcracker DVD’s out there, SF Ballet stands apart in several different ways. Only filmed last year, the newness of the production jumps off the screen in all its sumptuous detail. Also, this filmed performance is a compilation of several live performances, in contrast to other versions filmed without a live audience, including NY City Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and the Baryshnikov/Kirkland version to name a few. On one hand, it feels like you’re sitting in the audience, with the energy that comes from a spontaneous live performance instead of the careful calculation that comes with many takes. On the other hand, it comes with a few baubles and the risks that accompany live performance. Maria Kochetkova’s fouettes in the grand pas de deux feel a little bit shaky, but not necessarily in a bad way – there’s an irreplaceable thrill in the live performance that I really enjoyed, rather than looking robotic. Speaking of Kochetkova, she dances with warm consideration infusing her performance with precise detail and the lightness of a meringue. Davit Karapetyan as her noble partner has a big, muscular, tough exterior but possesses this unexpected gentility about him. His long legs extend swiftly, but lands with the softest of landings, almost catlike. There’s something understated about his presence; he has the rare quality of being both a solid partner and an exceptional soloist. Yuan Yuan Tan and Pierre-François Vilanoba make the most out of a mostly thankless pas de deux filled with promenades and presentations rather than dancing; they dance with nobility and grace even in the midst of a torrential snowstorm. Another standout was Clara Blanco as the Doll in the first act; her wide-eyed face and rigid doll-like movements gave her character life and charm. The corps de ballet were particularly expressive in their upper arms in the big group numbers (Snow, Flowers). The sets by Michael Yeargan and costumes by Martin Pakledinaz are breathtaking in person, but I didn’t feel like it translated quite as well on screen. More reason to see it live, I suppose. I really liked the background and history they gave regarding the sets and design of the show, making it more San Francisco-centric and historically accurate. Kristi Yamaguchi narrates pleasantly in awkwardly worded speeches (I thought it was cute the way she pronounced “horticultural” and they made her say it twice!) and adds a personal touch as she shares with us her personal history with this production.

Be sure to catch this opportunity to see a world class company on TV! For most people such as where I am, it will air on Wednesday December 17 at 8 pm, but be sure to check your local listings. Post your comments, thoughts, reactions here, I’d love to know what people thought.

Links:

• PBS Great Performances’ Website: SF Ballet’s Nutcracker
• For tickets to see it live (I can’t reiterate enough, there’s nothing like seeing it live), click here.
• Buy the DVD here
• My review of last year’s live performance, which is getting a ton of hits these days, here.
• Tonya’s take
• Allan Ullrich’s take