Russian ‘Beauty’ Charms on Ice

Tchaikovsky, it turns out, is ice-friendly--something the composer undoubtedly died without suspecting. Of course, figure skaters have often tried to prove this over the years, but usually they’re also trying to prove that Tchaikovsky goes well with heaving into a triple lutz or flirting with the judges.

The St. Petersburg Ice Ballet goes a long way toward correcting the usual woes of figure-skating “artistic programs” or hyperactive ice shows. Under the directorship of Konstantin Rassadin, a former Kirov dancer, it uses some of ballet’s heritage, subtlety and restraint, and deals well with the limitations of touring with a smallish cast on cramped ice space.

At the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday night, there were moments when the group’s two-act “Sleeping Beauty on Ice,” set to a bite-sized taped version of Tchaikovsky’s “Sleeping Beauty,” actually worked better than some productions of the ballet. Aurora’s famous Rose Adagio, in which ballerinas often fight for balance, had Olga Kuvashova gliding beautifully from one suitor to another. And the fairy-tale character duets in the last act, often cloying, were engaging and smart.

Of course, you do have to get used to hearing a lot of slushing sounds and to the fact that skating in circles is inevitable. Elena Komarova as the beneficent Lilac Fairy managed to overcome this inevitability with her deep edges and overall radiance. And as the evil Carabosse, Marina Lekhmus sailed through angled spins and was lifted interestingly by her minions.

Aurora and her Prince (Pavel Ivanov) were fine skaters, but he looked nervous and she sported a smile more appropriate for cheerleading. Oleg Riabov and Irina Skakhovskaya were engaging in the swooping Bluebird duet; and Elena Khailova shone as the Diamond Fairy. Costumes were luscious eye candy--best when they veered toward petits fours and not Pez.