L.A. Classical Ballet Offers Energetic ‘Nutcracker’

Calling all tutus! And velvet frocks, party pyrotechnics, leaping Russians, a flying sleigh, dancing mice, one near swoon-worthy Nutcracker Prince, an over-the-top drag Mother Ginger (Jesse Coyle), a Sugar Plum Fairy worth her sucrose . . . and lots of cute and cuddly, scene-stealing kids.

Yes, the first of the Los Angeles Classical Ballet’s 11 “Nutcrackers” landed with lots of energy and a modicum of finesse (a handful of slips and slides occasionally gave the feeling of an ice show) at the Long Beach Terrace Theater Saturday afternoon.

Despite the ballet’s frothy rendering, the effervescence, like so many champagne bubbles, tended not to linger. Now in its 14th year, this “Nutcracker”--with choreography by artistic director David Wilcox and Terri Lewis, along with the awesome Act 2 Trepak dance by Alexander Kalinin and trio--remains a workmanlike production.

The splendors of Tchaikovsky’s familiar score, under Roger Hickman’s lucent baton, do help the proceedings, however. And there are moments of purity and color in this holiday chestnut, such as those provided by Robbin Holley’s midair, heel-kicking maid.

Kristin Ottestad, the virginal Clara, is lovely and sure-footed, while Victor Kasatsky’s elegant Drosselmeyer is a far cry from a towering figure of mystery. His scarf-pulling routine cannot be mistaken for David Copperfield, but perhaps this is a good thing.

Another good thing is the solid partnering of guest artists Tatiana Chernobrovkina as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Dmitri Zababurin as the prince. Zababurin carried the statuesque ballerina overhead like a rare jewel, and had command of fluid, easy spins, his low leaps notwithstanding.

Sergei Domrachev as the high-flying Jester proved ebulliently fleet, as did Kristopher Jones’ Moor Doll. More problematic was Mayumi Hanabusa’s Dew Drop Fairy, exhibiting reticence, not refulgence. Her hearty floral corps made up for this, however, in their gliding exactitude. Much of the goings-on were hindered by Robert Sternberg’s feeble lighting design. But the audience loved every holiday-infused moment.

* L.A. Classical Ballet performs “The Nutcracker” Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 2 p.m. at Long Beach Terrace Theater, 300 E. Ocean Blvd. Also Dec. 20 at 8 p.m.; Dec. 21 at 2 and 8 p.m.; Dec. 22 at 2 p.m. at the Shrine Auditorium, 649 W. Jefferson Blvd. $16-$42. (800) 46-BALLET.