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Ballet
Extravaganza - Nutcracker 2004
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Marion Vogt
Photos:Michael Vogt
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Local ballet students, international dancers, popular
Thai singer Maneenuch Smerasut at the Chiangmai Ballet
Academy joined forces and proudly presented their third
musical dance play 'Nutcracker 2004' at the Kad theatre.
Mom Luang Preeyapun Sridhavat, Producer, Director and
Choreographer introduced many baby ballerinas to the
magical world of ballet. The Nutcracker provides children
with a unique opportunity to learn new disciplines -
punctuality, musical appreciation, stage presence, role
characterization and choreographic memory, said Mom
Luang Preeyapun. The performance itself has been adapted
to add ' Thai spice' and a greater variety of dance
styles than one would see in the classical version.
Nutcracker 2004 in cluded not only classical ballet,
but also contemporary, hip hop, jazz, tap, flamenco
and Latin dances.
The basic story of the nutcracker remained the same
the child Clara was given a nutcracker turned into a
handsome prince and conquers the rat king and takes
her on a journey where snowflakes dance before they
are welcomed by the Sugarplum fairy in the lands of
sweet and desserts.
The leading dancers are outstanding, in particular Peera
Phanlooktown, the Nutcracker prince, who is a highly
accomplished professional dancer who left a lasting
impression on the audience, after he performed a string
of breathtaking leaps and jumps. Clara, played by Orawee
Tadtieng, a dance teacher herself, is the quintessence
of elegance and innocence. The Rat Queen performed by
Noochanart Saiudom shows the style of captivating dancer
which makes her stand out. Sarassanan Chantharabart
as
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the
Sugarplum Fairy is so beautiful to watch and her grace
and style show why she has won so many dance competitions
in the past.
With over 300 dancers and performers it is impossible
to mention every single person but the overall impression
the audience got was simply breathtaking. The costumes
were dazzing and colorful, and the modernized story
gave everbody in the audience their moment of joy and
fun.
The dances in the wonderland of sweets and desserts
were from fifferent countries and included Italy, Spain
Arabia, Russia, Thailand America and Africa, with students
and principal dancers leading from one highlight to
the next. The Russian hip hop dancers with their whirls,
artistic jumps and energy brought applause from the
audience, as did the Flamenco performance with Supreeda
Wongsansee in the lead and her three followers dressed
in red and black.
It was a colorful performance, with graceful pas de
deux, the cutest children, innocent snowflakes, lovely
flowers, divine elves and evillrats and ended where
it began, with Clara waking up, wondering where fantasy
ends and growing up begins. |
Princess
of Arabia (Rafaela Kraushaar) on her way to become a professional
dancer. |
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| Clara
dancing with the Nutcracker prince, with the snowflake
queen (Kara Scheuerman) behind. |
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