OKC Events: December 11, 2006

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Dec 11, 2006 by Joan Gilmore

If there ever was a ballet designed to delight adults as well as children, it's The Nutcracker, a ballet to the music of Peter I. Tchiakovsky. And among those who do this ballet well is certainly our own Ballet Oklahoma, led by Bryan Pitts as artistic director.

The traditional and beloved production is being staged downtown at Civic Center Music Hall at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are available.

Because it's traditional to include children in the cast, most youngsters enjoy The Nutcracker as their introduction to ballet. Ballet Oklahoma's production includes nearly 100 students from the School of Ballet Oklahoma. We chatted with a woman at a reception the other night who said she just had to catch this ballet program because her granddaughter would be in it "for about two minutes." That's a true, loving grandmother.

Based on a story by E. T. A. Hoffman, The Nutcracker features a typical family holiday party. As the curtain rises, young Clara and her brother, Fritz, are trying to be good while their parents prepare to entertain Father's business associates. Because the father is a diplomat, the party guests include children from many cultures wearing exotic costumes.

The party includes dancing, toys for the children and entertainment by life-size dancing dolls. Clara receives a large traditional nutcracker painted to resemble a solider, thus the ballet's title. Highlight of the evening and one that amazes children as well as grown-ups, is the Christmas tree which, shall we say, rises to great heights. It's wonderful.

After the Sunday matinee, KKNG and Borden Dairy will be present to "Meet the Ballerinas and Dancers" who will sign autographs. Borden will provide free milk and cookies, and people can have their pictures taken.

Ticket prices for ballet performances range from $26 to $42 for adults and $22 to $38 for seniors and students. For tickets or more information, call (405) 848-8637.

Sponsors for The Nutcracker include American Fidelity Group, Devon Energy Corp., Ad Astra Foundation, The Oklahoman, Cox Communications and KKNG 93.3. Production underwriter is Sarkeys Foundation. Sponsors for the 2006-2007 season include the Oklahoma Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, Allied Arts, Kirkpatrick Foundation Inc., Cox Communications, Mathis Brothers Furniture, KKNG, JackFM, Radio Disney, The Journal Record and Valpak.

Time correction

The awarding of an honorary degree to noted educator and activist Clara Luper will be at 4 p.m. Friday at Oklahoma City University.

Bits and pieces

The Oklahoma City University Commerce and Industry Hall of Fame luncheon and induction was canceled because of the weather. The event has been rescheduled for 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. today at the Cox Business Services Convention Center.

The board of trustees of the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum has issued invitations to a private reception in honor of Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin. The event will serve as a send-off for Mary, who is our congresswoman-elect and will be heading to Capitol Hill. The board remembers that she was lieutenant governor for only 100 days before April 19, 1995, and, as Memorial Director Kari Watkins puts it, "She has stood by us every day since."