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Show r Arts & Entertainment Ballet West Gives Annual Performance Of "The Nutcracker" by Calvin L. Harrington Forum staff writer Visions of sugar plums and all the other magic of Christmas comes alive in spectacular fashion with Ballet Wests annual production of The Nutcracker at the Capitol Theatre. The 25 matinee and evening performances run from Dec. 13 through 31. Evening performances begin at 7 p.m. and the matinees on Dec. 14 and 15, 21, 23, 26 through 28 and 30 begin at 2 p.m.' There are special Christmas Eve and New Years Eve matinees, both at noon. Lavish settings, colorful costumes and excellent dancing blend to tell the story of a little girl (Clara) whose nutcracker turns into a handsome prince. Her prince whisks her Off to an enchanting visit through the Land of Snow. They fly over the wintry forest, and to Clara all the snowflakes are living beings dancing around her. They arrive in the Kingdom of Sweets, where the Sugar Plum Fairy is Queen and Clara is the special guest for a magical performance. The ballet performance Clara witnesses is rich with solo parts representing Spanish, Arabian, Russian, Chinese, and other styles that bring repeated spotaneous applause from even the most impassive audi . ences. These delectable dances culminate in the famous Waltz of the Rowers. When it is time for goodbyes, Clara is taken home in an enchanted sleigh. The story of the ballet is based upon the . tale of The Nutcracker and the Mouse King as adapted by Alexandre Dumas from the original workby E.T. A. Hoffmann. The musical score alone, which is a staple in the symphonic repertory, draws many people to performances of The The composition contains Nutcracker. some of Tchaikovskys most spontaneously inspired creations. The exquisite melody assigned to a celesta in The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and the piquant March with its brisk theme given by clarinets, horns and trumpets are as familiar as most carols. The attraction of Tchaikovskys colorful music and the suitability of the subject for Christmas entertainment has meant that many choreographers have made their own versions of the ballet. The Ballet West production of The Nutcracker was choregoraphed by William F. Christensen (the first production of The Nutcracker in America was choreographed by Christensen in 1944 and performed by the San Francisco full-leng- th Give Park Passes And 1992 Licenses ChristThose looking for mas gift ideas might want to purchase a 1992 fishing, hunting or combination license from the Division of Wildlife Resources of a Utah State Park Pass. Hunting and fishing licenses for next season are available through Division of Wildlife Resources offices in Salt Lake last-minu- te iNRdTdP TG3f City, Ogden, Springville, Cedar City, Vernal and Price and should soon be avail able at all vendors around the state. The Division of Parks and Recreation says both single park and multiple park passes will be available at its offices starting Tuesday. The multiple park permit sells for $50 and provides access to any of Utahs 44 state parks. It is available at any Utah state park of at the agencys main office at 1636 West North Temple. A single park permit sells for $25 and allows the user a season of day use at any park. Ballet). Christensen said, I was criticized when I first did it. But now its an epi- demic. Christensens work is performed all over America today by national and regional ballet companies, universities and colleges. Many people even schedule their Christmas vacations with performances of this production in mind. Christensen was bom in Brigham City, Utah and he studied dance in SaltLake City with his uncle, Peter Christensen, as well as with other dance masters in New York City. Christensen founded theSanFranciso Utahan). Mr. C (as Christensen is called) sees the new look as a gift to the many people who attend the performances year after year. They come each year, and this year will have a fresh new look, said Christensen. The costumes are exceedingly beautiful. They are going to be knockouts. The Nutcracker is being offered with benefits as part of a package that also includes tickets to Ballet Wests performances of Rosalinda and the spring repertory program of White Seasons and Theme and Mourning, full-subscri- Ballet. i He opened a ballet school in Portland, Oregon from which came the Portland Ballet. In the 1950s he went to the University of Utah, where he chaired the dance department and helped establish Ballet Variations. Single tickets for The Nutcracker are S available by calling ArtTix at or at the Capitol Theatre between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. For mini package info call West. For this 37th season. Ballet West, under the direction of John Hart, will present The Nutcracker with a brand new look, dressed up with entrancing new scenery and costumes to set off Christensens origi- Each matinee performance will be followed by a Sugar Plum party onstage for kids, where younger members of the audience can meet the Sugar Plum Fairy and other favorite characters. Included will be refreshments, photo sessions with the company dancers and a special treat Tickets for the parties are $7. Further info concerning the parties can also be obtained at -- nal choreography. Hundreds of hours have been spent sewing and constructing new costumes and scenery designed by Ariel Ballif (also a 355-ART- 363-931- -- 8. . 355-ART- S. SLAC Holiday Crafts ExhibitSale Hours are 10:00am to 5:00pm, Monday The Salt Lake City Arts Council will again present its annual Holiday Crafts Exhibit and Sale, opening Saturday, December 7, and continuing through Sunday, December 22, 1991. Each year this event expands, and this year the sale will contain works from over 80 local artists. through Saturday, and noon to 5:00pm on Sunday. The exhibit will be located in the Park Gallery on the lower level of the Art Bam, 54 Finch Lane. Distinctive and unusual handcrafted gifts of jewelry, cermics, clothing, paper, glass and wood will fill the gallery. Mayor Corradini To Be Guest Performer With Utah Symphony Deedee Corradini, Salt Lake City mayor-elec- t, will be a featured guest artist on the University of Utah Symphony Orchestras debut concert. The University Symphonys first performance of the 1991-9- 2 season will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 1991, at 8 p.m. at Kingsbury Hall. Robert Debbaut, director or orchestras at the U, will conduct. On the program that evening will be Dvoraks 8lh Symphony in G Major; newly-reorganiz- 100-memb- er ed Chadwicks Jubilee overture and the Lincoln Portrait of Aaron Copland, narrated by Corradini. General admission tickets for this event are available at the door for $5, with student and senior citizen tickets for $1. Donations to support the costs of producting this event are welcome. All patrons will be acknowledged in the program. For more information, call the Department of Music at the U at 581-676- 2. ' ( r i ; ' ForUrtvPaj6 7 |