Something Old, Somewhere New

It isn’t every day that Orange County balletomanes make history.

But make history they did on Tuesday night when they saw Russia’s Kirov Ballet perform the American premiere of the “Nutcracker” at the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

After the performance, members of the center’s board of directors joined with donors and cast members at Birraporetti’s to sip homemade eggnog, toss down vodka neat, and dine on pastas and pizzas. (Except for the lean ballerinas; they nibbled on fresh fruit.) Candy canes and poinsettia centerpieces dotted the tables and red and green balloons floated at the ceiling.

“The ‘Nutcracker’ was created 100 years ago this month for the Imperial Ballet, which became the Maryinsky Ballet and then the Kirov,” noted center president Thomas Kendrick. “Until tonight, the Kirov had never performed it in America.”

“Nutcracker” was originally produced at the Maryinsky Theatre, St. Petersburg, on Dec. 18, 1892. Set to Tchaikovsky’s musical score, it was choreographed by Lev Ivanov. The Kirov annually performs the holiday classic at the Vaganova Academy in St. Petersburg.

Applause greeted principal dancers Igor Zelensky and Zhanna Ayupova when they made their fashionably late party entrances.

“They call Zelensky the greatest thing since Baryshnikov,” said Kendrick, who attended with his wife, Judy Morr, center general manager. “And Ayupova is one of wonders of the ballet world.”

With help from a translator, Ayupova--who played Masha (Clara in the American version)--said it was good to be back at the center.

“I played Juliette here in May,” said Ayupova, 26. “The theater is very beautiful and comfortable. I love performing in this ballet; it is so like a fairy tale. I especially enjoy playing Masha as a little girl.”

Said the English-speaking Zelensky, 22: “(The center) is a very good place but, as you could see tonight, for me it is a little small. I couldn’t do my big jumps. I took it easy tonight.” (Could’ve fooled us . )

Among guests was soon-to-be center chairman Tom Nielsen (he succeeds William Lyon in April). His goal, during his tenure, is to unite performing arts organizations around the center, he said. “There are many strong organizations that work so well together. But I would like to find ways to help them work even more closely.”

For Mary Roosevelt, who was swaddled in ranch mink, the performance was a special occasion. “Tonight is the beginning of Christmas ,” said the widow of James Roosevelt. “I loved the finale--when the company did all of their pretty reprisals.”

Also among guests: Renee and Henry Segerstrom; Gail and Peter Ochs; Arlene and George Cheng; Buzz and Lois Aldrin; Irv and Gloria Gellman, and Michelle Rohe.

REVIEW

Martin Bernheimer reviews the “Nutcracker.” F1