Dance company to perform Nutcracker in Downey

DOWNEY - What to do when the weather is cold, windy and downright frightful this weekend?Look no further than the Downey Theatre, where the Southern California Dance Theatre will be performing the Nutcracker ballet Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. The production, organizers said, features "marvelous dancing with suspense, comedy and acrobatics." After Clara's mysterious uncle Drosselmeyer concocts his magic at the party and Clara battles the fierce Mouse King and his army of eight giant mice, the audience will visit a magical winter wonderland with snowflakes in a flurry of white tulle and falling snow. The production features Russian performers Lilia Babenko and Youri Nelzine in a dazzling Russian dance. Babenko and Nelzine, both born in Moldavia, an Eastern European region near Romania, received their training in Russian and Eastern European folk dance at the School of the State Academic Folk Dance Ensemble. Upon graduation, they joined the performance company and quickly rose to the ranks of principal dancers. Touring throughout Europe and the former Soviet Union, Nelzine and Babenko became known for their acrobatic elements in their solo dances. This weekend will be no different, with the audience treated to a whirlwind of uplifting music and dance. Tickets to "Nutcracker" are $22.50, $25 and $27.50 and can be purchased at the box office.

********** Published: December 20, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 36