ARTS CENTER, ABT DISCUSS ‘NUTCRACKER’

American Ballet Theatre is negotiating with the Orange County Performing Arts Center to schedule an early December return of Mikhail Baryshnikov’s production of “The Nutcracker.”

According to a spokeswoman for Leslie E. Schoof, general manager of the New York-based company, Tchaikovsky’s beloved ballet would be performed during the week of Dec. 7 as part of a West Coast tour. ABT’s production of “The Nutcracker” was performed in Orange County in December, 1986.

Besides the 1987 performance of “The Nutcracker,” ABT’s tentative plans call for a week of mixed repertory at the Center for the preceding week.

Thomas R. Kendrick, the Center’s executive director, refused to confirm either the dates or the plans for the repertory, saying Tuesday only that “serious negotiations are under way.

“We’re holding the dates, but we’re wide open on repertory,” Kendrick said. “And we still haven’t settled fees or signed contracts.”

Kendrick said that the Center’s dance series should be “firmed up within a month.”

However, an appearance by the Joffrey Ballet during the week of Sept. 21 has already been confirmed, as well as negotiations to bring Toronto-based National Ballet of Canada to the Center in June.