By Mary-Justine Lanyon
Editor
For the 33rd year, the students of the Lake Arrowhead Classical Ballet Company will bring The Nutcracker to life on the stage.
Before those performances at the San Manual Performing Arts Theater, the dancers performed the Land of the Sweets from Act II for students at Valley of Enchantment Elementary School on Nov. 18.
As the dancers got ready – with parent volunteers helping them into their costumes and pinning on their crowns and hats – there was lively chatter. And then, as the students began filing in, the music of The Nutcracker began to play.
Principal Bethany Negersmith welcomed the dancers and promised that “we are going to be the very best audience.”
Chryl Russell from the Arrowhead Arts Association showed the students a pair of toe shoes, telling them the dancers would not be performing in them that day as the floor in the cafeteria was too slippery.
The Land of the Sweets, Artistic Director Sharon McCormick explained, includes Chocolate from Spain, Tea from China, Mirlitons from Germany, Russian dancers, Chocolate Kisses, who are part of the Bakers, and Coffee from Arabia.
In this year’s production, Chloe Hoard will dance the role of Clara; she is also in the Chocolate dance and is a Mirliton. Evan Valez will dance the role of Fritz.
Tomlin lifts Nina Hidajat in the Arabian dance; the lifts drew gasps from the students.
The special guest dancers include Tomlin as the Nutcracker and in the Arabian dance with Nina Hidajat; Eduard Sargsyan as Cavalier; and Elan Alekzander as Sugar Plum.
When Tomlin and Nina danced the Arabian number, his lifts of her drew gasps of wonder from the students. During the question and answer period, Tomlin asked the boys how many pushups they think he has to do to be able to accomplish the lifts. The guesses ranged from 35 to 1,000. The correct answer was 250. He then called on three volunteers to do pushups with him.
He then demonstrated what it takes to do partner work with Nina and Chloe; two volunteers bravely made contact with the ballerinas. “You have to make sure they don’t fall,” Tomlin told the boys. “You are there for their safety.”
Rehearsals for The Nutcracker began in September, McCormick said. “It takes a long time to put the divertissements together. The dancers have to feel confident so they can perform and not think about it.”
Chloe then demonstrated some chainé turns to the students, showing how she turns her head to spot and not get dizzy.
One student asked how the dancers time their movements so perfectly. “Thank you for the compliment,” McCormick said. “They practice and they follow the music.”
When another student asked what is the most difficult part of the ballet, McCormick said that every number has a difficult part. She then went down the line of dancers, having each one tell what theirs is. Many mentioned being in time with the music and with each other. McCormick had several demonstrate movements that are most difficult for them.
The performances of The Nutcracker will take place on Dec. 6 at 7 p.m.; Dec. 7 at 2:30 and 7 p.m.; and Dec. 8 at 2:30 p.m. The San Manual Performing Arts Theater is located at Aquinas High School, 2772 North Sterling Avenue, San Bernardino. For tickets, visit www.arrowheadballet.org or call (909) 336-1359.
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