A Cozy Little ‘Nutcracker’

The San Francisco Ballet production of “The Nutcracker” is a sweet childhood dream. No fear, no anxiety intrudes.

The action unfolds in a benign universe overseen by a kind uncle. Other adults may be present, but they stay mostly on the sidelines--until the dancing starts.

The fearful mouse battle is delayed, with half the music taken up by Clara’s dreamy recollections of the party. When the mice finally appear, they don’t threaten her and at first cower before the toy soldiers. The unusual presence of a Mrs. Mouse--or is it Girl-Friend Mouse?--further softens the scene. When their Mouse King has to die, he makes it a joke.

What keeps the production, which opened Thursday at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium (through Dec. 24), interesting to adults is a splendid corps, real magic acts, solid principals and consistency of conceptual viewpoint.

Indeed, every appearance of the corps--from Snow Scene to “Waltz of the Flowers”--is an occasion for enjoying unanimity of impulse and style.

The magic acts--life-sized dolls and the Arabian soloist appearing in seemingly impossible ways--remain inexplicable. Credit consultants John C. David and Paul Svengari.

Of the principals, Tina LeBlanc made an assured, serene and warm Sugar Plum Fairy. She was partnered strongly by David Palmer, who had trouble with some landings but looked exemplary in the air. The Cavalier’s Variation, cut when the company appeared in Costa Mesa a year ago, was restored.

As an ever-present, story-managing Drosselmeyer, the lanky Val Caniparoli made sure to vanquish any potential menace in the role, as required, apparently, by choreographers Lew Christensen, his brother Willam and current SFB artistic director Helgi Tomasson.

Jennifer Blake was the precise and appealing Dancing Doll. Alex Ketley was the endearing bear. Muriel Maffre and Benjamin Pierce (a guest from American Ballet Theatre) made elegant snow monarchs. Sara Sessions was the pliant Arabian dancer; Ikolo Griffin the high-flying Chinese soloist. Elizabeth Loscavio was a sunny, virtuosic Butterfly.

Of the children, Aria Rosenberg made a shyly sweet Clara. Ian Chambers (a veteran of last year’s production in Orange County), again proved remarkably self-possessed as Drosselmeyer’s Nephew and the Nutcracker Prince.

Eight-year-old Jillian Dean from Laguna Nigel tippy-toed through the party dances with charming effect and further delighted with two handsprings in her rush back to Mother Ginger in Act 2.

Jose Varona helped create the consistency of a child’s vision of things with his lushly attractive decors and costumes, particularly those for Act 2. Denis de Coteau conducted the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra with a practiced eye and a leisurely hand.

All in all, a safe family values “Nutcracker.”

* Varying casts will appear in the San Francisco Ballet “Nutcracker” through Dec. 23 at 7:30 p.m.; also today, Sunday, Thursday, Friday , and Dec. 22 and 23 at 2 p.m., and Dec. 24 at 11 a.m. Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 300 E. Green St. $21-$61. (213) 480-3232.