Dance Review : Grigorovich and Bolshoi Combine for ‘Nutcracker’

Winston Churchill did not have ballet on his mind when he cautioned that Russia was “a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.” But he might as well have, when it comes time to disentangle the claims surrounding the current Grigorovich production of the “Nutcracker” at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts (through Sunday). And all the effort is required for such a joyless event.

Yes, Yuri Grigorovich, who is overseeing the ballet that opened Thursday, was artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet for 30 years, prior to his forced resignation last March. Yes, a number of the principal dancers were bona fide members of that famed company, and the decors by Simon Virsaladze also were echt Bolshoi.

But many of the dancers belong to Grigorovich’s own company, which bears his name, not the Bolshoi as suggested in the ads, and they looked mostly like youthful trainees. Nor should all the choreographic credits go to Grigorovich, as claimed in the program. The ghost of Lev Ivanov materialized in the Waltz of the Snowflakes.

The promotional material also calls the 1966 production the “classic version” and “Russia’s most endeared [sic] adaptation” of the Christmas favorite. But how can it be “classic” and endearing when there is no Sugar Plum Fairy, although someone is enlisted to dance what’s called here the Final Waltz? When there is no Mother Ginger (a touring budget-cutting decision)? When the party scene serves as an excuse to caricature the bourgeoise? Forget about family values, holiday warmth and cheer, or integration of the generations through taught civility.

OK, so what did it look like?

Natalia Arkhipova, a distinguished Bolshoi principal, looked fleet, lyric, effortless and rather grown up in the role of Marie (usually named Clara in American productions).

Continuing the list of Bolshoi dancers: Maria Bylova was cool, elegant and glittery in the Final Waltz. She was partnered effortfully by Yuri Vasyuchenko, who had impressive elevation but smeared turns and slipped at the end of his Variation.

Olga Vasyuchenko brought authority and strength to the Chinese Dance. Yuri Vetrov went through the witless maneuvers of Grigorovich’s version of Drosselmeyer easily but without deepening the character. Perhaps no one could given that choreography. Andrei Shakhin created little menace or threat as the Mouse King.

These principals will continue in these roles in all the other performances.

The Grigorovich Company dancers showed youthful vigor, honest commitment and varying degrees of accomplishment and promise. In these disastrous economic times at home, one wants to cheer them as much as possible.

The corps looked precise and well-trained in the snow scene, but less so in Grigorovich’s dispiriting Waltz of the Flowers, which appeared to mix in more mature dancers. The costumes and wigs, in particular, here looked dreary and worn.

The ballet was danced to recorded music.

* The Grigorovich Company will dance “The Nutcracker” today at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos. $16-$40. (800) 300-4345.